BMW boss Mario Theissen has no doubt his team will be "back on form" at Silverstone after readily conceding they did not get their act together at Magny-Cours.
Just a fortnight after the euphoria of their one-two success in Canada, with Robert Kubica taking over the lead of the Drivers' Championship at that stage following his and the team's maiden win, the picture was starkly different on Sunday.
Ferrari were in a class of their own in the French GP as Felipe Massa led home team-mate Kimi Raikkonen to claim top spot in the title race from Kubica, who now trails by two points.
Kubica ultimately had to settle for fifth as he could not even match the Toyota of Jarno Trulli and the McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen.
Theissen believes the French Grand Prix is one of those races where a team either cracks the track, or is unable to come to grips with it - Ferrari cracked it, BMW definitely did not.
"I have to say after free practice on Friday it was clear Ferrari had a big advantage, with Felipe pulling out qualifying times straight away," said Theissen.
"So we expected them to gain 18 points, but on the other hand it is the first time I have seen a car go half a race distance without an exhaust. That was really special. I couldn't believe he continued."
That was reference to the fact the exhaust on Raikkonen's Ferrari cracked just before the halfway point before breaking off completely towards the end, yet the reigning world champion still came home second.
Regardless of that, Theissen knows his own team were off the pace anyway, adding: "Looking at the race, we didn't really get our act together in France.
"The package was never good throughout the weekend, but that is something we have seen many times at Magny-Cours.
"Some cars perform exceptionally well, better than anywhere else, and others don't work at all. We were somewhere in between, but definitely towards the lower side."
Looking ahead towards the British Grand Prix on July 6, Theissen is not expecting BMW to be left trailing so badly again.
"Silverstone is definitely different, and on top of that we have a test there this week, which is unusual a week before the race," added the German.
"We have some development parts, and I expect us to be back on form at Silverstone, but we need to find half a second because that was the case in France."
Theissen, meanwhile, has stated no decision will be made on the future of his drivers before the end of July at the earliest.
Kubica is a certainty to be given a new deal, but there is speculation Nick Heidfeld may be on his way out as he has played second fiddle to the Pole virtually all season.
But when pressed on the matter, Theissen replied: "It won't happen soon. Don't expect it before Hockenheim (the German Grand Prix on July 20)."
