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). The team’s chassis were powered by BMW engines from 1982 to 1987 as a consequence of an agreement between BMW and Brabham. Nelson Piquet won the 1983 title while operating a Brabham BT52-BMW during this time. ATS, Arrows, Benetton, and Ligier teams were also given the M12/13 by BMW during this time, with varying degrees of success. 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 (which became second when McLaren was disqualified). 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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In Formula One, BMW
The 2008 Canadian Grand Prix is won by Robert Kubica as he crosses the line. As a factory-backed, full-time team, BMW has only ever won just one Formula One race.
Since the 1950 launch of the World Drivers’ Championship, BMW has competed in Formula One. BMW participated in a number of races between 1950 and 1960. They frequently raced under Formula Two regulations. They produced the inline, four-turbocharged BMW M12/13 engine in the 1980s. Built specifically for the Brabham team, this engine. Driving a Brabham-BMW, Nelson Piquet won the championship in 1983. The ATS, Arrows, Benetton, and Ligier teams were also provided with M12/13 engines by BMW. Brabham exited Formula One in 1988, and BMW discontinued formally supporting the engines. Arrows continued to employ the Megatron-named engine. The M12/13 was no longer functional once turbocharged engines were outlawed by Formula One in 1989.
In 2000, BMW made a comeback in Formula One. They agreed to solely provide engines to the Williams team. It had a brand-new V10 engine. After the 2005 season, the engine contract with Williams was terminated. Then, BMW acquired the rival Sauber team. From 2006 through 2009, the BMW Sauber project was underway. Former privateer team Sauber raised their level of competition. The Canadian Grand Prix, the team’s lone race that year, was won by Robert Kubica, with Nick Heidfeld coming in second. After the 2009 Formula One season, BMW left the sport. Peter Sauber, the team’s founder, was paid for the team.
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.
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.
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.
Will BMW return to Formula One?
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. “The laws pertaining to electrification are still being discussed in Formula 1. Therefore, it was extremely evident to us. Let’s move quickly to that section, “Added he.
Why aren’t BMW and Audi in F1?
The road has no bearing on this. 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.
Can Audi compete in Formula One?
It follows the publication earlier this month of new power unit regulations, which were created expressly to make it practical and appealing for newcomers to enter the sport at a competitive level.
The 2026 power units will retain the current V6 internal combustion engine architecture but will have more electrical power and only use 100 percent sustainable fuels, according to Audi, two elements that were important in it joining.
Audi, a member of the Volkswagen Group, also stated that it supports F1’s goals to become more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. F1 has set a target of becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and will establish a cost cap for power unit makers in 2023.
It also marks a significant acknowledgment of the importance of the automotive industry’s transition to hybrid engines powered by sustainable fuels in 2026. We are all anticipating seeing the Audi insignia on the starting grid and will learn more about their plans in due course. a
In advance of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Audi made its 2026 entry official at a press conference at Spa. Speakers included Domenicali, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development Oliver Hoffmann, and Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG Markus Duesmann.
The manufacturer stated that by the end of this year, they will disclose their choice of team for 2026.
The engine will be constructed at Audi Sport’s Neuburg factory, the first time an F1 powertrain has been made in Germany in more than ten years.
According to Audi, its Neuburg base already has test stands for evaluating F1 engines as well as electric motors and batteries. By the end of the year, they are working to have the necessary individuals, structures, and technical infrastructure in place. After that, they will have three years to perfect the PU before moving on to F1.
Volkswagen: F1 entry?
How the two brands will work with already active Formula 1 teams is still unclear.
When new rules are adopted in 2026, according to the CEO of Volkswagen, the company’s Porsche and Audi brands will start racing in Formula 1.
Formula 1 is trying to lure new manufacturers, most notably VW, to join its existing pool as it introduces altered engine regulations starting in 2026. The 10 teams on the grid are currently supported by powertrains from Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Red Bull.
The 2026 regulations’ basic structure has been established for some time. The little particulars are still being arranged. Officials from VW have already stated that the firm was anticipating that time.
For the first time, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess stated in a question-and-answer session posted on YouTube on Monday that the company’s two premium brands will compete in Formula 1 starting in 2026. Diess cited the expansion of Formula 1 in important areas like the United States and China, the increased interest of younger viewers, and the possibility presented by the engine regulations of 2026.
How the two companies will collaborate with current Formula 1 teams is still unclear.
Red Bull Powertrains, which was established for 2022 in order for Red Bull’s two teams—Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri—to continue using Honda’s powertrains after the Japanese manufacturer’s official exit, has been strongly linked to a partnership with Porsche.
Porsche’s most prosperous period in Formula 1 occurred in the middle of the 1980s when it partnered with McLaren as an engine supplier and entered their cars under the TAG logo. It last appeared in 1991, during a disastrous alliance with the Footwork-branded Arrows team that lasted barely a few races.
Despite the manufacturer being associated with various teams recently, Audi’s plans are still unclear.