Rampf steps back as BMW restructures.

Long-time servant Willy Rampf is to take on a reduced role in the BMW Sauber F1 operation as the team attempts to streamline its technical department in search of success on track.

The change has come about at Rampf's request. The 55-year old Swiss F1 veteran has been keen to reduce his work schedule, and will take up the new post of technical co-ordinator on 1 November, once the current season has ended. He will continue to be responsible for F1 vehicle concept and will lead the team at the race track in his new role, but responsibility for business operations and line management will pass to Walter Riedl, who already heads up operations at the team's Hinwil plant and overall project management in his capacity as managing director.

Riedl joined BMW as a development engineer in 1983 and has worked in a leading position in F1 for nine years, with responsibility for the entire F1 project. He took over the management of the Hinwil factory on 1 January 2006 following the company's decision to acquire a majority stake in Sauber, and has also been responsible for project management across both locations since the summer of 2005. The 48-year old will retain his current role alongside the newly-appointed functions.

"I have been technical director since April 2000, initially at Sauber, and now for the BMW Sauber F1 team," Rampf explained, "It has been an extremely enjoyable, but also very intense, phase of my life.

"The idea of cutting back professionally has been growing in my mind for some time. I discussed the subject with Mario Theissen and we have found a solution together. I'm looking forward to focusing on my original technical responsibilities again and am in no doubt that we can continue to build on our success."

Riedl will take over responsibility for the development process of next year's F1.09 with immediate effect, while Rampf will continue to look after the further development of the current F1.08.

"I have already been working very closely and very effectively with Willy, and this co-operation will now reach another new level," Riedl explained, "The new structure guarantees continuity and ensures that the BMW Sauber F1 Team is in good shape for the future."

BMW Sauber is edging closer to the year in which it claimed it would be ready to challenge for the Formula One world championship, and has already broken into the winners' circle courtesy of Robert Kubica victory in Canada earlier this month. Team boss Theissen is therefore delighted to have found a solution that will see the Hinwil/Munich-based squad continue to benefit from Rampf's input.

"I can totally understand that Willy wants to cut down on his workload," he said, "I'm pleased that we have found an internal solution with the new structure, one which fits in with the philosophy of the team.

"All responsibilities will continue to lie in the hands of experienced managers who have played a key role throughout the development phase of the young team. At the same time, the team will continue to benefit from Willy's expertise and great experience. His contribution to the team - both before and after BMW acquired a majority stake - deserves the utmost respect. His record is extremely impressive, and our one-two victory in Montreal represents the crowning moment of his time with us so far."

BMW Sauber might not be the only team considering revisions to its technical structure either, with rumours that former technical partner Williams is unhappy with its performance under the guidance of former Renault man Rod Nelson.

The team's chief operations engineer - who formerly oversaw Fernando Alonso's championship campaigns at Renault - was left to run the French Grand Prix programme at the weekend, in the absence of technical director Sam Michael, but has failed to impress the hierarchy at Grove, according to Swiss publication Motorsport Aktuell.

Engineering director Head described Williams' Magny-Cours weekend as a 'very mediocre performance'.