BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen admits that the team is aiming high in 2009 after rolling-out the new F1.09 at Valencia.
The team enjoyed a fine campaign in 2008, capped by
Robert Kubica leading
Nick Heidfeld to a 1-2 finish in the Canadian Grand Prix; giving both team and driver a maiden F1 win.
Kubica ended the season in third place in the standings while Heidfeld was sixth despite admitting he was struggling at times during the year.
BMW meanwhile took third in the constructors' championship behind
McLaren and Ferrari.
On the back of that stellar campaign,
BMW will now hope for further success during the year ahead, but Theissen admitted that the final step in the team's development to become regular contenders would be the hardest one to take.
"We have set ourselves the task of further improving our performance relative to the rest of the field," he said. "The 1-2 in Canada and a total of eleven podium finishes in 2008 set an exacting standard.
"In 2009 we are looking to maintain our first-class reliability record while at the same time enhancing our performance levels so that we can be at the front of the pack on a consistent basis. We are aware that we are aiming extremely high. This is the final step in our development, and that's generally the hardest one to take.
"In the three years since the
BMW Sauber F1 Team was formed, we have always met the goals we set ourselves and are confident that we can do so again this season. You can plan your level of performance, but not your results."
