Theissen: “We are looking at other series”

BMW Motorsport boss Mario Thissen has once again underlined the fact that BMW are considering leaving the FIA World Touring Car Championship due to the current rule debacle.
“In my opinion the situation is not sustainable and we are presently examining our WTCC commitment very critically,” said Theissen to Autosport.

One option considered by BMW is to withdraw the factory status of the team.

“We have always been in touring car racing in some form or other, and we will continue in that way. But we have a very broad base of customers so it doesn’t necessarily have to be a works engagement.”

The rules of the WTCC has been changed back and forth many times during the last couple of week.

The main attention has been on the turbo pressure of the diesel SEAT’s which has most recently been raised.

“This isn’t so much a SEAT situation but an FIA situation. As far as we are concerned, it is extremely difficult to resolve.”

BMW were affected by the strange situation regarding the rules of over revving. In qualifying for the race at Pau nine cars had their times disallowed due to over revving when downshifting, something that never has been penalized before.

But in the race 15 cars were found to have breached the same rules, but were left unpenalized.

“There were far too many decisions taken that were not clearly thought through. Sometimes after a race, and sometimes even during a race when the regulations were changed or the parameters were changed.

“The decisions taken were not communicated cleanly – that means competitors did not know what the situation was, and under which circumstances and conditions the other competitors were racing. This only became clear when there was a protest.”

Theissen has confirmed that BMW are looking at other touring car series, but also that they might pull their works commitment from all touring car racing for a while.

“We are looking at other touring car categories. If we do come to a decision where a works commitment doesn’t make sense in any given series, then it could be for a period of time that we may only lend support to our customers, as opposed to competing ourselves.”