AS the 1999 Formula One season reaches an exciting climax, BMW is already counting down the days to the debut of its new engine at the Australian Grand Prix in March 2000.

In the next few weeks the latest version of BMW's V10 power unit, built in Munich,will be tested at a proving ground in Miramas - the venue of the 1926 French GP - as well as other circuits currently used for Grand Prix racing.

The new livery marks a new stage in the test and development of the new engine, but BMW emphasises that the current test car is not designed to set new track records but rather to prove and enhance the BMW V10 engine under realistic track conditions.

Meanwhile next year's BMW Williams, which will take BMW back into F1 for the first time since 1987, is being built in a joint development process by BMW and Williams.

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