We knew that BMW chairman Helmut Panke would go "buh-bye" after his contract expires in 2007 due to BMW's policy to boot any leader over the age of 60, but we weren't sure who would take the helm.

It's likely a lesser-known feat than his numerous MotoGP championships, but the racer has taken a liking to four-wheeled motorsport in the past few years, at the helm of BMW's M4 GT3 racer.