This article discusses BMW’s participation in Formula One and the BMW Sauber racing team. See Sauber Motorsport for the independent racing team.
Since the World Drivers’ Championship was established in 1950, BMW has been involved in Formula One in a variety of capacities. Before developing the BMW M12/13 inline-four turbocharged engine in the 1980s, the business competed in sporadic races in the 1950s and 1960s (typically under Formula Two rules). Nelson Piquet won the 1983 championship while driving a Brabham BT52-BMW during this time, and BMW also provided the M12/13 on a customer basis to the ATS, Arrows, Benetton, and Ligier teams during this time, with varying degrees of success. This engine was the result of a deal between BMW and Brabham, which resulted in the team’s chassis being powered by BMW engines from 1982 until 1987. Brabham briefly left the sport in 1988, and BMW stopped officially supporting the engines, which were still being used by the Arrows team under the Megatron moniker. The 1989 revision of the Formula One Technical Regulations outlawed turbocharged engines, making the M12/13 obsolete.
In the late 1990s, BMW made the decision to return to Formula One and entered into an exclusive agreement with the Williams team, which was in need of a new long-term engine supplier following the departure of Renault in 1997. A new V10 engine was developed as a result of the initiative and debuted in competition in the Williams FW22 in 2000. The collaboration advanced from the midfield to contending for race victories the next year, but the desired title remained elusive due to Michael Schumacher and Ferrari’s domination in the first half of the 2000s. BMW decided to sever ways with Williams in 2005 as their relationship had deteriorated, and instead decided to purchase the rival Sauber team outright.
The BMW Sauber project, which ran from 2006 to 2009, significantly raised the Swiss former privateer team’s competitiveness. A strong third place performance in the Constructors’ Championship in 2007 followed two podium places in the inaugural season. Robert Kubica won the team’s lone race in 2008, the Canadian Grand Prix, and briefly held the lead in the Drivers’ Championship, but the team decided to concentrate on 2009 car development and fell back in the standings at the end of the season. Due to the F1.09 chassis’ lack of competitiveness, the 2009 season was a significant letdown. BMW decided to leave the sport, returning the team to its founder, Peter Sauber, in addition to the global financial downturn and the company’s displeasure with the constraints of the current technical standards in developing technology relevant to road cars.
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History
BMW spent two periods as an engine supplier before becoming an official F1 constructor in 2006. With the first turbo engine, it made history in the 1980s and helped a driver win the world championship in 1983.
It made a comeback in 2000 with Williams, and the following year, it began winning Grands Prix. The Munich label, however, assumed control of the struggling Sauber squad when the collaboration failed to produce a championship. BMW’s first victory in 2008 came courtesy of Robert Kubica at the Canadian Grand Prix.
But following a disappointing 2009 and feeling the impact of the recession, BMW left Formula One, even though its brand was still technically tied to the team in 2010.
BMW is uninterested in a 2021 F1 comeback.
Since the power unit period has no bearing on their road vehicle technology, BMW has made it clear that they have no interest in returning to F1.
In 2006, BMW acquired the Sauber team, and the BMW Sauber entry went on to enjoy a successful run in the competition.
The team finished the inaugural season with two P3 finishes and finished P5 in the Constructors’ Championship.
They would earn two more podium places the next year as they finished third in the constructors’ standings, moving up to second after McLaren was disqualified.
Robert Kubica’s victory in Canada in 2008 would be BMW Sauber’s first and only victory; however, later in the season, they would shift their attention to designing the 2009 vehicle.
BMW would leave the race at the end of that year, selling the team back to founder Peter Sauber, but the F1.09 would be a significant step down.
As with many of their rival automakers, BMW is now concentrating on Formula E with the Andretti team after joining forces with them in 2018.
BMW does not care about the new Formula 1 regulations that will be implemented starting in 2021 because they believe that the F1 technology has no application to their road car technology.
The V6 turbo hybrid has little to do with what we do in (road) car production, according to BMW racing head Jens Marquardt in an interview with Auto Bild.
“From an engineering standpoint, I salute what they achieve in Formula 1, but the technology has no application on the road,” the speaker said.
Aston Martin is one automaker whose participation in Formula One has been confirmed as of 2021. Lawrence Stroll purchased a stake in the British luxury automaker, opening the door for a rebranding of his Racing Point team.
Why doesn’t BMW field a Formula One team?
Because they are concentrating on their road vehicle business, BMW does not have an F1 squad. BMW claims that the sport is no longer “relevant” to them and their business objectives and that the direction Formula 1 has taken will not assist them further develop their road cars.
The possibility of BMW returning to Formula 1 has been a subject of rumors ever since the team quit the competition in 2009. BMW indicated they are still not interested in returning to Formula 1 in any way, though, and they have grounds for this attitude as recently as 2021.
Even with the budget limitations in place, Formula 1 is still too expensive, according to BMW. BMW doesn’t possess a Formula 1 factory, thus the business prefers to concentrate on other technologies because returning to the sport would be more expensive than ever.
Is BMW an F1 team?
Have you ever pondered why some manufacturers, like BMW, choose not to participate in Formula One despite the sport’s rising popularity? Knowing a team’s history can often help you appreciate them more, in my experience as an F1 and BMW enthusiast. Does BMW compete in Formula One?
BMW does not participate in Formula One and does not have any immediate plans to do so. Due to a poor performance, the global financial crisis, and their desire to raise the technological requirements for their road vehicles, they discontinued their participation in F1 in 2009.
BMW has historically been one of the strongest racing competitors, despite not participating in Formula 1. Let’s look at where they started, what they think about Formula One, and why they still don’t want to compete.
Check out the great products from the official F1 store here if you’re looking for some F1 memorabilia.
Who purchased the BMW F1 Team?
The German automaker said earlier this year that it was leaving Formula 1, but added that it had reached an agreement with the Swiss business Qadbak, which would manage the team going forward.
Instead, the automaker sold the team to Peter Sauber once more. Sauber started his F1 team in 1993 and managed it until BMW acquired it four years ago.
Dr. Klaus Draeger, a member of BMW AG’s board of management, stated of the solution, “We are quite delighted with it. “The most crucial prerequisite for the team’s future success is now met.
“Our interactions with Peter Sauber have always been positive and characterized by unwavering respect. We want to congratulate Peter Sauber and the entire team for their exceptional collaboration over the past four years.”
Sauber also said “I’m extremely glad we were able to come up with this answer. It implies that the Hinwil location and the majority of offices can remain. In Formula 1, which is currently undergoing change with new framework conditions, I am confident that the new team has a bright future.
“I would want to thank BMW for four shared years that have in the main been very successful. Our workforce here is highly competent and motivated, and I look forward to taking on this new task together with them.”
An additional agreement with Sauber suggests reducing the number of staff from the existing level of 388 to roughly 250.
The FIA has not yet determined the team’s grid position for 2010, hence its future in Formula 1 is still uncertain.
Will BMW ever compete in F1 again?
BMW claims that the reason for its lack of involvement in the racing is the F1 organizers’ tardiness in implementing electrification technology.
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BMW doesn’t appear to be prepared to return to Formula One. Frank Van Meet, head of BMW M, stated that the carmaker has no desire to compete in Formula One. When it comes to its goals in motorsports, the automaker is instead expressing a greater interest in the Le Mans Daytona hybrid, or LMDh, according to BMWBlog.
BMW left the Formula One sport in 2009 after splitting with Sauber. Since then, rumors have circulated that the carmaker might return to the premier racing venue. Meel’s explanation, however, puts an end to the rumor. He stated that in order for the business to accept the shift as quickly as possible, it is crucial to concentrate on electrification. “Let’s push quicker into that market,” he continued, “Formula 1 is still negotiating the laws around electrification. So, for us, it was pretty straightforward.
Why doesn’t Audi field an F1 team?
Audi has long participated in motorsports that our customers care about, like rallying and touring cars, which helped develop the quattro, FSI, and TFSI systems that are now included in our road cars. This is the reason we rejected F1 in 1999. Instead, we made the decision to compete in the world’s biggest race. We chose Le Mans.
Which F1 team is quitting?
Alfa Romeo has declared that it would exit motorsport and sever connections with Sauber after the conclusion of the 2023 season in a brief statement following the announcement that Audi will enter Formula One in 2026.
According to the corporation, Alfa Romeo “communicates that its association with Sauber Motorsport will cease by the end of 2023.”
Alfa Romeo announced its return to Formula One in 2017 with a long-term strategy. In July 2022, it announced its decision to extend its partnership with Sauber through 2023. This decision was made in light of the season’s first half’s encouraging performances, marketing efforts, and productive working relationship with the team.
Alfa Romeo will now assess the many alternatives on the table and choose which will be the best to continue the long-term strategy and the positioning of the brand because the brand’s economic and industrial turnaround will be completed in 2022.
Which F1 team will Audi replace?
Audi, a car manufacturer, declared at a news conference in Spa, before of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, that it will become a power unit constructor in Formula One in 2026.
Markus Duesmann, the chairman of Audi’s board of management, declared that “motorsport is an intrinsic part of Audi’s DNA.” “Our brand uses Formula One as both a worldwide stage and a very difficult development environment.
“In our industry, innovation and the transfer of technology are always fueled by a combination of great performance and competitiveness. The moment is right for us to become involved given the new regulations. After all, Audi and Formula One have distinct environmental objectives.”
The league’s new engine regulations for 2026 gave Audi the opportunity to compete on an even playing field with other power unit manufacturers that are already in F1 and allowed Audi to enter the sport.
Regarding Duesmann’s remarks on the company’s “clear sustainability aspirations,” F1 will no longer use the MGU-H unit under the new regulations, which also call for using totally sustainable fuels and additional electrical power.
At the press conference, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also made a statement about how thrilled the organization is to welcome Audi to the racing lineup.
Domenicali stated, “I am thrilled to welcome Audi to Formula One. Audi is an iconic automotive brand, pioneer, and technology innovation “This is a significant moment for our sport and it shows the tremendous strength we have as a rapidly expanding global platform.
We are all anticipating seeing the Audi badge on the grid and will be getting more information from them on their intentions in due course. It is also a huge recognition that our journey to sustainably powered hybrid engines in 2026 is a future solution for the automotive business.
Duesmann omitted to mention which partner Audi will work with. Rumors suggest that Audi will replace Alfa Romeo as the Sauber F1 team’s current sponsor. Alfa Romeo stated on Friday that it would sever ties with Sauber in 2023.
Audi is currently on track to join engine manufacturers Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, and Red Bull Powertrains.