BMW WSBK Press Release: Team Boss Andrea Dosoli Talks About 2012

With the 2012 World Superbike season just over two weeks away, preparations are ramping up for the return of racing. As part of those preparations, BMW issued a press release interview with their new Head of Race Operations, Andrea Dosoli. Dosoli came to BMW from Yamaha, along with Marco Melandri, who he had previously worked with at the Hayate team formed when Kawasaki officially pulled out of MotoGP in 2009. In the interview, Dosoli covers a lot of ground, including his impression of BMW's World Superbike effort, his role within the team, his expectations of the BMW S1000RR machine and his hopes for riders Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam.

Below is the text of the interview, issued by BMW:

Interview with Andrea Dosoli: “BMW Motorrad Motorsport has a lot of potential in many areas.”

Munich/Stephanskirchen, 09th February 2012. The countdown is on: today, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport is traveling to Phillip Island. On the Australian Island the curtain raiser for the 2012 FIM Superbike World Championship will be held on 26th February. Before that, the Bavarian squad will conduct two more tests at this venue. Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport has a new face in its management team with Andrea Dosoli, who is Head of Race Operations. The 39-year-old Italian is responsible for the race team at races and tests and has been in this position since the beginning of the year. In an interview, Dosoli speaks about his first impressions of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, his expectations for the riders and the team and his duties and targets.

What do you consider to be the major attraction of your role as Head of Race Operations for BMW Motorrad Motorsport?

Andrea Dosoli: “This project is currently the most exciting and interesting project in the motorcycle motorsport environment because I can see that we have the potential to win, to become a winning team. We have a big company behind us, we have the chance to work with experienced and incredibly talented riders, and we are growing into a very strong team. To be part of this project is something I am really proud of, and the reason I decided to join BMW Motorrad Motorsport. I believe that together, step-by-step, we can achieve the results we deserve.”

“Representing a company like BMW gives a big motivation to everyone, but simultaneously brings with it big responsibilities for everyone. I would like everybody in the team to be aware of this responsibility. If that happens, the results will arrive automatically. It is nice to wear a shirt with the BMW logo - but when you wear it, you represent the company worldwide. So in all areas you have huge responsibility. Everyone must be aware of this responsibility, and only then can we do all the work required to be successful. To be part of the leadership of this big project is something I am extremely proud of.”

What have been your impressions of the team so far?

Dosoli: “My impression is that we have a lot of potential in many areas, but the glue required to bind all these areas is lacking. So I would like to do my part to put all this potential together, and to use this potential. I know it is not an easy job, but step-by-step, if we keep the motivation high, we can succeed. To achieve strong results in motorsport all the areas have to be strong. It has to be a coherent overall package. If only one area within a team is weak, you won’t achieve results. So we need to grow as a team, as a group and use our potential to try to improve any weak areas.”

How would you describe your main duties?

Dosoli: “I want to be that glue between all the areas by concentrating and to work on the improvement of our team, day-by-day. It could be that there is an issue at the racetrack, where we are facing a problem. Then, everyone has to help to try to fix this. We can achieve results if everything and everybody works well together, and every member of the team looks beyond his own responsibilities. I aim to be the glue which keeps all the areas together and to keep everybody motivated.”

How much potential does the BMW S 1000 RR have?

Dosoli: “I can see that the potential of the bike has not been used 100 per cent yet. We know that our competitors are very strong, and a few of them have proven winning machinery. Our first target is to use the potential of the bike to the full to reduce the gap to our competitors, step-by-step. I believe that from the first race we could try to fight for the podium, and then we would like to improve the bike’s performance to give our talented riders a tool which allows them to fight for first position.”

What do you expect from the riders Marco Melandri and Leon Haslam?

Dosoli: “I believe both riders have chosen this team and its ambitious challenge because both wish to be a proud part of it. What I expect from both is that they work hard, always give 100 per cent, and be motivated every time they go out on the track. I have no doubts about their talent. We need their input to develop a winning package together. To win races requires a combination of factors. So now we need to put these factors together, to improve together, to grow together. I expect our riders to be part of this project, to contribute together and grow together.”

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Dosoli: “Honest, serious and motivated.”

What would be your three wishes for the 2012 season if you were granted them?

Dosoli: “The first wish would be that every night every one of us goes to bed being proud of his work of that day and knowing that he has given the maximum. I wish that everybody is proud of being part of this project. Then I would like to give BMW and the riders the first win of this project. And my third wish would be that this is just the first step towards even more ambitious projects in future. So I would like to build up a strong team, one able to achieve these important targets.”