Mario Theissen
Mario Theissen (born August 17, 1952 in Monschau , Eifel ) is a German manager . He is an engineer for mechanical engineering and vehicle technology . From 1999 to 2011 he was Motorsport Director at the car manufacturer BMW .
Life
Mario Theissen's interest in engine construction, as well as his professional and private enthusiasm for motorsport , he discovered during his mechanical engineering studies (1971–1977) at RWTH Aachen University . He started his first job at BMW in June 1977 after completing his engineering degree in the field of engine calculation. In the following years he performed various tasks in engine development at BMW. Theissen received his doctorate in 1989 on the subject of the investigation of the influence of residual gas on partial load operation of the gasoline engine at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Ruhr University in Bochum and has been honorary professor at the Dresden University of Technology since July 2005 .
From April 1999 he was initially appointed motorsport director at BMW together with the former Austrian Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger . At that time, the automobile company had decided to return as an engine supplier to the top motorsport class, Formula 1, and signed a contract with the British Williams team. After his five-year contract expired at the end of 2003, Berger withdrew. Since then, Theissen has filled the position of motorsport director alone. All motorsport projects were his responsibility. In addition to Formula 1 (until 2009), this includes the Formula BMW series , the appearances in the touring car world championship and in the 24-hour races .
From 2006 to 2009, Theissen was also primarily responsible for BMW’s factory Formula 1 project. In 2005, the manufacturer decided not to extend the contract as an engine partner to Williams and instead set up a team itself. BMW subsequently took over the majority stake in the Swiss Sauber team and competed under the name BMW Sauber F1 Team . No team boss was officially appointed, but Mario Theissen de facto held this position as motorsport director. He was primarily responsible for all internal team decisions and reported directly to the BMW board.
After BMW left Formula 1, Theissen remained head of BMW's motorsport activities until mid-2011, after which he retired. His successor is Jens Marquardt , who initially concentrated mainly on the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC). Theissen has been an honorary classic car speaker and member of the sports committee of ADAC eV since 2013 and, since 2014, Senior Vice President of the FIVA World Classic Car Association .
Mario Theissen is married to Ulrike Theissen and has three children. He lives with his family in Munich .
Individual evidence
Web links
- The Theissen era over: “Fantastic time” - Theissen's successes in motorsport
- Dr. Mario Theissen. In: BMW history. BMW AG, accessed on May 18, 2014 (dossier on Mario Theissen in the BMW Group Archive).
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Theissen, Mario |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German mechanical engineer, motorsport director at BMW |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 17th August 1952 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Monschau , Germany |