BMW raise expectations at launch.

Mario Theissen says the focus of his team is on building on a promising debut season following the launch of the new BMW Sauber F1.07 in Valencia.

The car was unveiled on Tuesday morning at the Spanish circuit ahead of its on track debut later today, with BMW motorsport director Theissen admitting that expectations had been raised by the results garnered last season in what was BMW's first season of competition after buying out the Sauber team towards the end of 2005.

"In 2006 we exceeded our own targets," he said. "Now expectations are rising faster than the team can develop. That's the punishment for excelling yourself."

Theissen added that the aims for the season ahead were clear, with the focus being on regularly fighting for the podium 'on merit' - although he added that wins were not yet a realistic aim.

"2007 marks the second and final year of our development phase," he continued. "Our aim is to make it onto the podium on our own merit. If the leading teams show any sign of weakness, we want to be ready to breach the gap.

"Victories on our own merit are not yet a realistic prospect for 2007. We are aiming for that in 2008. In 2009 we want to be in contention for the World Championship title."

The F1.07 will effectively be the first BMW F1 car, with last seasons machine having been based on the Sauber model being designed for 2006. The car features a shorter, raised nose, a slimmed down rear and larger cooling intakes to help the new machine deal better with the hot conditions encountered in a number of the fly away races.

Also featuring new suspension elements to improve handling, the F1.07 is also fitted with a seven speed quick shift gearbox - which will be appearing on the car for the first time.

"It's really the first BMW Sauber," Theissen added. "That's a very special day for us."