Mario Theissen has decided to remain as head of BMW motorsport despite the German car maker’s decision to quit Formula 1.

Theissen had admitted he was considering his future at BMW after it was announced it would not be racing in F1 from next year, but the German will stay on following the sale of the team back to Peter Sauber.

“In Hinwil it is now the end of an era, and I will remain as motorsport director at BMW,” Theissen said.

BMW announced last week that it had sold the team back to Sauber, from whom the car maker had purchased a majority stake four years ago.

The FIA is yet to reveal if the Hinwil-based squad has a slot on the 2010 grid.