Mario Theissen

Mario Theissen ( born August 17, 1952 in Monschau, Eifel ) is a German manager and engineer for mechanical and automotive engineering. From 1999 to 2011 he served as Director of Motorsport car manufacturer BMW.

Theissens interest in engine as well as the professional as well as the private enthusiasm for motor sport he discovered already during his studies in mechanical engineering (1971-1977) at the RWTH Aachen. His first engagement with BMW, he took directly after completing his degree in engineering in June 1977 in the area of the motor calculation. In the following years he filled in the motor development of BMW various tasks. He received his PhD in 1989 on the subject investigation to the residual gas influence on the part load operation of the gasoline engine at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Ruhr- University Bochum and since July 2005, honorary professor at the University of Sciences Dresden.

As of April 1999, he was first appointed, together with the former Austrian Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger motorsport director at BMW. The automotive group had at that time decided to return as an engine supplier in the highest class of motorsports Formula 1 and signed a contract with the British Williams team. After his five-year contract expires end of 2003, Berger moved back. Since then Theissen filled the position of Director of Motorsport alone. His responsibility was responsible all motorsport projects. In addition to Formula 1 ( to 2009 ) include the Formula BMW series, the stakes in the World Touring Car Championship and the 24 - hour race.

In the years 2006-2009 Theissen was also largely responsible for the factory Formula 1 project from BMW. The manufacturer had in 2005 decided not to renew the contract of engine partner of Williams and instead to create a team yourself. BMW took over as a consequence the majority of the shares of the Swiss Sauber team and entered F1 team under the name BMW Sauber. Officially, no team manager was appointed, but Theissen had held this position as Motorsport Director de facto. He was primarily responsible for all internal team decisions, and reported directly to the BMW board.

After the departure of BMW from Formula 1 remained Theissen head of motorsport activities from BMW to the middle of 2011, after which he went into retirement. He is succeeded by Jens Marquardt, who focuses primarily on the first World Touring Car Championship ( WTCC).

Mario Theissen is married to Ulrike Theissen and father of three children. He lives with his family in Munich.