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Formula One: First Test Drive with the new BMW Formula One Engine

11 May 1999

Munich-- For the first time in 12 years, a Formula-1 car powered by a BMW engine took to the track: the new BMW V10 completed its first test drive as part of the preparations for the return to Formula-1 in the year 2000.

The BMW Motorsport team began the test at 9:26 a.m., April 27, on the test track in Miramas, France, which belongs to BMW and which now includes a racing circuit. The rolling chassis was a '98 car of BMW partner Williams F1.

"Such maiden runs were previously on my agenda," says the former Formula-1 driver Gerhard Berger, who is now BMW Motorsport Director. "But I must admit that, from the point of view of my present role, they have become even more exciting."

BMW Formula-1 test driver Jorg Muller took up his job for the first time in Miramas: "This task means a great deal to me and stage fright certainly plays a part at such a premiere. One feels that the entire company is standing by this project."

Dr. Mario Theissen, who is responsible for technology in the management of BMW Motorsport, explains: "A new stage of development will now begin in the wake of the preparative work. This will be based on the results which we will achieve in the next few days and which we will then calmly analyze."

Since the day on which the BMW board of directors took the decision in September 1997 to return to the Formula-1 World Championship, a new factory for the development and manufacture of the Formula-1 engines under the command of Paul Rosche, has been built in Munich and around 130 technicians have been employed. Rosche built the most successful Formula-2 motor of all time in the 1970's for BMW, before then constructing the Formula-1 engine with which Nelson Piquet became World Champion in 1983.

After BMW retired from Formula-1, Rosche, amongst other projects, built the V12, which was to become successful in sports car racing and, secretly, two normally aspirated Formula-1 engines in the early 90's.

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