Heinz Paschen is the head of development of BMW Formula One engines. He replaced the outgoing Dr. Werner Laurenz at the end of the 2002 season.

49-year-old Paschen started working in Formula One development with BMW in January 2000 as the head of construction and calculation. Before that, the Swabian had worked with Toyota as the constructor of that same engine with which Juan Pablo Montoya, who today is a BMW WilliamsF1 Team driver, achieved victories in American CART championship races.

Paschen, who himself took part in motorcycle races for many years, studied power and vehicle engineering at Ravensburg from 1976 to 1982. Subsequently, he worked as a freelance engineer before beginning to work with Toyota as the head of engine development.

Paschen was the mastermind behind the P80, the BMW engine of the 2001 Formula 1 season. The P83, the V10-cylinder for the upcoming season also bears the mark of the meticulous technician from Mengen. After Paschen was at first exclusively in charge of construction and calculation he now takes over responsibility for the entire BMW engine development.