“Don't forget that we were in Barcelona and Alonso was very motivated, so we have to wait a little bit. I think they have made an improvement, but I personally don't think the improvement is that big. I don't think they will be fighting for a winning position in the next few races.
“If you had asked me [if
BMW could win a race in 2008] at the beginning of the year, I would have said no. Today it looks like it could be possible; they still need some good circumstances, but they are not too far away. They're the big surprise of the beginning of the season, especially after what we saw during the winter, when they were not so competitive.
“They came back quite well, they have the reliability now and they are getting better and better, but in Formula 1 to get the last two or three tenths to win a race is difficult. Again, we are going to see over the next few races in Europe – with Turkey and then Monaco – what will happen, but yes, they may have a better chance now.
“Overall, I think what we are seeing is what we expected back at the beginning of the year. Even if they have changed the regulations, with less driver aids, it doesn't change very much. We are seeing many more small mistakes, depending on the tracks, but we haven't seen a race in the wet yet. That will be very interesting – especially the first one – but overall we have fewer and fewer surprises in
Formula 1.”
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