BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen to retire

BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen will be retiring from his position on June 30, 2011. He has held this post for more than 12 years. He will be replaced by Jens Marquardt, 43. Marquardt will already join BMW in January 1, 2010 so he could work alongside Theissen for six straight months. This will help him be familiarized with the responsibilities of his position. BMW will also do this to prevent any delays or problems for the 2011 BMW racing program and the 2012 DTM touring-car project where BMW will have its grand re-entry.

According to Theissen: “We have planned and prepared this changeover very carefully. With the realignment of BMW Motorsport and the decision in favor of the DTM project, the path to a successful future on the race track has been mapped out. Now is also the best time to entrust the leadership of BMW Motorsport to new hands. I have no doubt that in Jens Marquardt we have found the right man for this exciting task and I look forward to our time working together. On July 1, 2011, he will be perfectly equipped to take over the reins.”

Marquardt is also very positive about the transition. He says: “Heading up BMW Motorsport is a dream job for me and a tremendous show of confidence. The endurance events with the BMW M3, the broad-based customer sport program, the promotion of junior racing talent, and above all the DTM project are all fascinating challenges. I know that Mario Theissen will support me in every way and I can hardly wait to get down to work.”

Theissen has been working for BMW since June 15, 1977. He first was a development engineer, then he was tasked to run the BMW Innovation Centers in Munich and Palo Alto, California. It was since April 1, 1999 that Theissen has been the boss of BMW Motorsport and he will surely be missed.

Marquardt on the other hand is equally competent to handle this new position. He has a degree in aerospace technology and has been leading a successful career in engine development. He worked for Ilmor Engineering on the development of Formula One and CART World Series engines from 1996 to 2000. In 200, he joined Toyota Motorsport and worked on the F1 engine department, and then he became the team’s general manager.

Read more: Autonews