Mario Theissen was giving little away to the prospect that BMW will need to run a diesel engine in 2008 if they are to retain their World Touring Car Championship crown, but admitted it is on the drawing board.
Fresh from securing their third straight world title courtesy of Andy Priaulx, BMW have at the same time been stung by the step forward made by rivals SEAT concerning engine development after the Spanish manufacturer gave the diesel unit a very successful debut in the series.
SEAT launched the TDI engine midway through the 2007 season, much to the surprise of their rivals after conducting months of secret development in Spain. Despite misgivings, the engine proved competitive from the off and scored three victories before the season had finished.
Whilst it was not quite enough to snatch the title off
BMW, Theissen admitted to
Crash.net that SEAT had a definite advantage in the latter stages of the season, one that, if the regulations stay as they are, could force the Munich marque to develop their own derv-drinking challenger.
“We have to wait for next year's regulations,” he told
Crash.net Radio. “It became clear that the diesel engine has an advantage and now we have to see how the
FIA reacts for next year and then we will see if we have the right car for this. I certainly hope we can win again.
“If the regulations stay as they are, then you would need a diesel to win next year but that decision hasn't been made yet.”
Indeed, save for a fuel pump failure for Yvan Muller whilst he was leading in Macau, Theissen suggests BMW and Priaulx would probably not have been celebrating another title. Still, it is something that he is acutely aware of, claiming he did not expect to be celebrating the title as the first race came to a close.
“I didn't think he (Priaulx) was going to do it,” he added. “It was quite clear to me that, towards the end of the first race, he wouldn't do it, but anything can happen, especially at Macau.
“Andy is the man who never gives, is always ready and thinks one step ahead of the others, so when the opportunity arises he was there and he took it again. It has been a very special achievement for all of us because we didn't expect it.”
![Andy Priaulx - BMW Team UK BMW 320si [Pic credit: BMW]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/398706.jpg)
