The BMW Sauber F1 has announced that Markus Duesmann will join the team next year as 'head of power-train F1'.

Duesmann, who was apart of the Mercedes-Benz set-up in Brixworth, as head of F1 engine development, takes over the position from Heinz Paschen, who, according to a statement from the Swiss-based squad, will now leave the company by 'mutual consent'.

Duesmann, who will report directly to BMW motorsport director, Mario Theiseen, will take up the position on January 1 2007. Will Rampf will remain as the technical director of the Swiss-based squad.

"Markus Duesmann has approached BMW, because he was looking for a new challenge. His ideas for the way of working and leading a team match our point of view," explained Theissen. "We are convinced Markus Duesmann is the right person to fill this key position. His experience will aid us to continue the building process for one team based in two locations, in Munich and Hinwil. For six years Heinz Paschen has formed a solid basis for our work thanks to his constant efforts and invaluable knowledge. All the BMW F1 engines in recent years have been developed under his guidance."

Duesmann meanwhile is looking ahead to his new role with excitement: "The BMW Sauber F1 Team is undergoing a development phase and this means a great challenge. As head of powertrain F1 my task lies not only in technology, but also in the design of structures and processes as well as in the close co-operation between the two factories. I want to put all my experience into this project and support the team on its way up."