Friday October 11th, 2002

The designer of the BMW Formula One engines Heinz Paschen will replace Dr Werner Laurenz as general manager of the engine development department from the end of 2002 onwards, the German company announced today.

"Werner Laurenz did a great job in helping to establish the BMW F1 department and now he looks for new challenges," said BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen. "Heinz Paschen has been exclusively involved in design and calculation of the V10 engine and is now happy to take over the responsibility of the entire engine development.

"The fact that we are able to replace Heinz Paschen's position through internal promotion of personnel underlines the strength and stability that the team has reached."

49-year old Paschen joined the BMW Formula One project at the start of the 2000 season, where the German manufacturer became the Williams team's engine supplier. BMW said that Laurenz would leave the team.

Mercedes, partners of the McLaren team, recently announced that they were taking full control of engine makers Ilmor but a spokesman was unable to comment on rumours that Laurenz was to join the company.

Published at 05:29:10 GMT