Theissen: Raised expectations unavoidable

With BMW Sauber currently leading the constructors' championship and the team seemingly on the verge of their maiden victory in Formula One, some people are even talking about Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld launching full title challenges this season.

But although admitting that the pressure on his team is increasing, Theissen has said he is not worried about it having an effect on the job they are doing.

"I can't avoid it," said Theissen when asked by autosport.com about whether expectations were getting too high. "You get pressure if you win or lose, so I prefer to get pressure if I win.

"Expectations are always raised quicker than you can follow with results, but it is not just expectations from the outside. It is internal expectations too. We want to get to the top and we see it coming step-by-step, so we always want to take the next step ourselves."

Theissen also echoed comments from Kubica that the team were not strong enough to take a victory on pure pace just yet.

"Well it is clear that at least Ferrari have an edge on us," said Theissen. "If they get it right the car is quicker, and we still have to find some tenths to be as fast as them. So in this respect I certainly support this view.

"But we are there now when the other two teams don't get it perfectly right, although we need to take one more step to be really equal.

"I certainly hope we can do it in this season, but then it depends on so many factors that are beyond the team's control. We will see. That is the good thing about sport, otherwise no one will watch."

Theissen also said that there would be no question of the team diverting any of their efforts from this year's car onto their 2009 programme, as they bid to make the most from the current campaign.

"Certainly we have to push as hard as we can on this year's car, that goes without saying. We are close to winning our first race and that is the target we have set ourselves, so there is absolutely no question that we will go full steam."