BMW Sauber are determined to break Ferrari and McLaren's stranglehold on F1 with a first grand prix victory this season.

Team boss Mario Theissen said at the launch of their new F1.08 car yesterday that BMW were confident they could take another big step forward after ending 2007 as the sport's third force.

"Certainly we are very confident to turn the battle between the cars in front of us into a battle of more than two teams this year," said Theissen.

"It will certainly be difficult (to win) because the two teams in front of us are the strongest and most experienced and will certainly do a big leap over the winter as well," added Theissen.

"Since we made big progress in the first two years, I am really confident we can do it again and close the gap."

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