Part of the BMW fold ever since graduating from Rheinisch-Westfälische Technical University in 1977, Dr Mario Theissen shares responsibility for all BMW Motorsport programmes with his fellow BMW Motorsport Director Gerhard Berger. Given his background in engine development, it is only natural that Dr Theissen should assume responsibility for the technical side of the programme.

Mario has always had a passion for engine construction and after graduating as a Diplom-Ingenieur he joined BMW 24 years ago to work in engine development.

He would spend the next 14 years focusing on various aspects of engine development for BMW, also taking the time to qualify as a Dr.-Ingenieur in 1989.

In the early 1990s Mario fulfilled a variety of different roles within BMW, working as Director of Product Concepts at BMW AG in 1991, then becoming Director of Advanced Drivetrain Development for two years. His next position was as Managing Director of BMW Technik GmbH, a job he held until 1997.

After taking a management training course at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr Theissen was promoted to the role of Director of the Product and Technology Innovation Centres in Munich and Palo Alto, California in 1998.

An avid motorsport fan for much of his life, Mario fulfilled an ambition by becoming BMW Motorsport Director in April 1999. In tandem with Gerhard Berger, Dr Theissen focuses on the technical functions of the motorsport programmes, leading the team that created both the E41 and P80 engines.

With BMW returning after a 12-year absence from F1 at the start of 2000, Mario was keen to play down expectations before the start of the season. His team had designed a relatively conservative engine for their debut, eager to finish races and learn more about the intricacies of grand prix racing rather than go all out for glory. Playing safe paid off however, and Dr Theissen’s engine team were able to celebrate the BMW WilliamsF1 Team finishing in an unexpected third place in the constructors’ championship by the end of the season.

Having achieved so much in what was billed as little more than a learning year, Mario Theissen and the BMW V10 engine team are aiming for the very top in 2001. The new engine is lighter, more compact and more powerful.

Victories would be the icing on the cake for Mario, who already describes his position as a “dream job,” allowing him to combine his professional abilities in engine construction and his personal passion for motor racing.