F1 has seen renewed manufacturer interest since the modified engine regulations for 2026 were finalized, boosting the amount of electric power and requiring the usage of efuels.
While sibling company Porsche of the Volkswagen Group is still interested in competing in Formula One despite the cancellation of its planned cooperation with Red Bull due to a breakdown in negotiations, Audi confirmed last month that it would start producing engines for the sport starting in 2026.
Honda, which ended its works engagement last year while maintaining technical ties to Red Bull, is also rumored to be making a comeback in 2026.
BMW is the last remaining significant German manufacturer with Mercedes already on the grid, Audi coming, Porsche intrigued, and Volkswagen no longer participating in motorsport.
Being away from F1 was “not an issue for us,” according to Andreas Roos, head of BMW M Motorsport, because BMW was “certainly not interested at the moment.”
Roos, who took over for outgoing Aston Martin F1 team principal Mike Krack as BMW’s motorsport manager, said: “I think you also have to be realistic.”
“You have to be really successful for a very long period until that comes back in Formula 1, so we’re thrilled with the vast bouquet of projects we now have in motorsport.”
Between 2000 and 2009, BMW had their most recent manufacturer presence in Formula One, originally partnering with Williams before switching to the Sauber factory team in 2006. The BMW team won one race, the Canadian Grand Prix in 2008, before abruptly leaving Formula One at the end of 2009.
BMW made it plain that its focus is on its new LMDh program, even though it has been mentioned in relation to a prospective F1 comeback given the level of manufacturer interest recently and the change in the engine rules.
After making its IMSA debut this year, the new BMW M Hybrid V8 will move on to the World Endurance Championship starting in 2024. At that time, it will also make a comeback to compete for overall honors at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
According to Roos, “We are practically already fully into electrification and the move to electrification.” LMDh is the correct thing for us to accomplish at this time since it fits well there, not just in 2026 when Formula 1 moves in that route.
The CEO of BMW M Motorsport GmbH, Frank van Meel, acknowledged the marketing potential and audience of F1 racing but insisted that BMW did not “enter motorsport exclusively for commercial purposes.”
Van Meel stated, “We want to create something for the series and grow together.”
Because Formula 1 is too far away from our series M products and too far away in time with the problem of electrification, LMDh is unquestionably more essential to us than that competition.
In This Article...
In Formula One, BMW
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.
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 participated in Formula One?
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.
BMW quit Formula One?
A significant change occurred in 2021 for the tiny Racing Point. Pink had to make way for Aston Martin’s British Racing Green as the team shifted from Racing Point to Aston Martin. Because the team’s demand for a pink car could not be granted, it wasn’t apparent for a while whether BWT would remain the team’s sponsor. The water corporation would no longer be the primary sponsor, and the pink color would only be used sparingly on the car, according to an agreement reached between Aston Martin and BWT.
On the 2022 automobile that Aston Martin presented on Thursday, BWT and the brand’s pink were completely absent. Instead, it chose lime green, a color that Aston Martin frequently uses in other racing categories as well. BWT switches from Aston Martin to Alpine, where it once more serves as the primary sponsor. The primary color of Alpine is still blue, but the A522 will once again have the BWT pink. On February 21, we’ll see how the new livery turned out in the end.
BMW left Formula One when?
In order to become the BMW Sauber F1 Team, BMW acquired Swiss team Sauber in June 2005. (initially BMW was supposed planned to utilized BMW F1 Team naming). BMW’s alliance with Williams, which ended at the end of the 2005 season, had deteriorated in the months before to the takeover. The team was situated in the corporate offices of BMW in Munich, Germany, and Sauber in Hinwil, Switzerland. It was run under a German racing license. Despite owning Sauber, BMW kept the Sauber name for the seasons from 2006 through 2009 for historical reasons.
In their inaugural Formula One season in 2006, the team finished on the podium twice and in fifth place. After the McLaren team had been disqualified from the championship, this was followed by a second place finish in 2007. At the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, Robert Kubica won the team’s lone Grand Prix race. BMW left Formula One after the 2009 season and returned the team to founder Peter Sauber.
Will BMW ever compete in Formula One?
Numerous automakers will join the fray as the Formula 1 racing championship gains in popularity. In 2026, Audi and Porsche will make their Formula 1 debuts, but BMW has largely remained silent. Frank Van Meel, the head of BMW M, stated in an interview today that the Munich-based automaker has no plans to compete in Formula 1.
Van Meel was certain, saying, “We have no ambitions for Formula 1.” The forthcoming LMDh project is where the business continues to concentrate its motorsport efforts. “It’s crucial for us that the [electrification] narrative of transformation is accepted as soon as feasible. The regulations pertaining to electrification are still being discussed in Formula 1. Thus, everything was crystal plain to us. Let’s move more quickly into that section on electricity “says Van Meel.
In 2022, 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.
By :
revised on:
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.
Is Audi entering Formula One?
At a press presentation for the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Audi revealed its entry. Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, participated in the event and fielded questions alongside Mohammed ben Sulayem, President of the International Automobile Federation, and Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1. (FIA).
Markus Duesmann asserts that “Motorsport is an intrinsic element of Audi’s DNA.” “Our brand uses Formula 1 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 competition. The moment is right for us to become involved given the new regulations. After all, Audi and Formula 1 have distinct environmental objectives.”
Participating in the most renowned racing series in the world requires a clear strategy for improving sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Greater electrification and improved sustainable fuel are the main topics of the new technical regulations, which take effect in 2026. In addition to the current cost cap for teams, a cost cap for producers of power units will be implemented in 2023. Furthermore, Formula 1 has set a lofty objective for itself to become a carbon-neutral racing series by 2030.