Berger confirms new BMW engine tests

BMW Motorsport boss Gerhard Berger confirmed in Malaysia that the German car company ran its first 2001 engine in the back of a Williams chassis at Magny-Cours last week. The new engine, which is believed to be seven kilograms lighter than this year's model and much smaller in size, ran without problems throughout the closed three day test in France with Williams test driver Bruno Junqueira doing the work.

The first new engine was not due to be tested until December but BMW engineers in Munich were able to produce a prototype earlier than expected and the results have been extremely positive. Our sources say that BMW was being very careful with the new engine and keeping revs down throughout the test.

However, there is much optimism at BMW that the new unit will give Williams the boost to compete with McLaren and Ferrari next year.