The BMW engine's competitiveness was shown by the fact that Piquet retired from the lead of the British, French and German Grands Prix, whilst Patrese likewise retired from the lead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
A competitividade do motor BMW quedou demostrada polo feito de que Piquet retirouse da cabeza dos Grandes premios do Reino Unido, Francia e Alemaña, mentres que Patrese tamén retirouse cando lideraba no Gran Premio de Austria.