Long-time BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen will leave his position at the end of the year, to be replaced by former Toyota Formula One team manager Jens Marquardt.

Theissen has been BMW Motorsport’s director since 1999 and played an instrumental role in the company’s role in Formula One. With the German manufacturer entering the DTM in 2012, the 58-year-old says that now is the right time to hand over to Marquardt.

“We have planned and prepared this changeover very carefully,” Theissen said.

“With the realignment of BMW Motorsport and the decision in favour of the DTM project, the path to a successful future on the race track has been mapped out.

“Now is the best time to entrust the leadership of BMW Motorsport to new hands. I have no doubt that in Jens Marquardt we have found the right man for this exciting task.”

Marquardt will start his new job at BMW at the start of the new year and will work alongside Theissen for six months when  Theissen will officially step down.

Marquardt started his racing life as an engine specialist, working for Ilmor on the development of F1 and CART engines. He joined Toyota’s F1 team in 2000 through the Japanese company’s engine department before serving as team manager from 2008.

The 43-year-old said that he is looking forward to the varied challenges that the BMW role will present.

“Heading up BMW Motorsport is a dream job for me and a tremendous show of confidence,” Marquardt said.

“The endurance events with the BMW M3, the broad-based customer sport programme, the promotion of junior racing talent and above all the DTM project are all fascinating challenges.

“I know that Mario Theissen will support me in every way and I can hardly wait to get down to work.”