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.
In This Article...
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.
BMW returning to Formula One?
Herbert Diess, the CEO of the Volkswagen group of enterprises, recently announced that Porsche and Audi would join the German company in Formula 1. This won’t happen until 2026, when new F1 regulations, such as the adoption of totally synthetic fuels, take effect. Many people are now focusing on BMW and wondering if they will also return to F1.
Given that Mercedes is anticipated to continue participating, albeit most likely as an engine supplier, the entry of Audi and Porsche into Formula 1 might have undoubtedly inspired other manufacturers. BMW certainly has to join the party a little more in order for the galaxy of German luxury automakers to be complete.
Munich’s comeback to Formula 1 by 2026 was a question posed by Germany’s BMW Blog. It appears that the topic has not even been broached at BMW. Frank Van Meel, the head of BMW M, has stated that there is “no aspiration for Formula 1.” BMW never gave the idea of returning to Formula One after leaving the sport in 2009 following its separation from Sauber due to then-current engine regulation revisions.
It’s unfortunate because Porsche and Red Bull are very guaranteed to collaborate on an engine supply deal, and Audi has a good chance of acquiring McLaren or Sauber.
“We place a lot of importance on the early adoption of the energy transition. The rules for electrification are still being discussed in Formula 1. Thus, everything was crystal plain to us. We need to surpass Formula 1 in speed “Frank Van Meel stated.
Instead, BMW is pouring a lot of money on its Le Mans Daytona (LMDh) hybrid race car, which is now only slated to compete in 2024 after 2023 is officially ruled out. Even if it doesn’t return to F1, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Audi are all working on LMDh projects, so BMW will still have to compete with the Volkswagen Group.
Acura, Cadillac, Alpine, and Peugeot will also be present. BMW participates in both GT3 and GT4 in addition to its LMDh program.
BMW claims they have no interest in seeing Formula 1 back.
The subject of BMW and Formula 1 resurfaces every now and then. And each time, the response is the same: BMW doesn’t believe there is a way for the in the most viewed racing competition in the world.
BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt thinks that despite a 1952 connection to Formula 1, BMW’s evolution has led it down a different road.
In his words to Auto Bild, “The V6 Turbo Hybrid is an engine that has absolutely nothing to do with what we do in serial production.” From an engineering standpoint, I must state that while I admire the work done in Formula One, the technology is irrelevant for use on the road.
The most recent BMW involvement in Formula 1 began in 2006 when they acquired the Sauber F1 team. The Bavarians finished their debut season with two P3 places and finished P5 in the Constructors’ Championship.
BMW Motorsport won two more podium positions in 2007, finishing P3 in the Constructors’ standings (P2 when McLaren was disqualified).
When Robert Kubica crossed the finish line first in Canada a year later, BMW Sauber earned their first and only victory. BMW left the Formula 1 in 2009 after selling the team to its founder Peter Sauber.
BMW’s racing efforts in this decade are mostly focused on the environmentally friendly Formula E, despite the fact that new regulations for Formula 1 are due in 2021 that are intended to make the championship more competitive and accessible.
For the time being, Formula E will host the competition amongst the top automakers in the world, with BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Porsche vying for the championship.
Has BMW entered 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.
Will BMW return to Formula One?
Despite other manufacturers’ temptation, BMW is “absolutely not interested” in competing in Formula 1 under the new 2026 power unit restrictions.
The German manufacturer withdrew from Grand Prix racing at the end of 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis and has not done so since, focusing instead on competitions like Formula E and the World Endurance Championship.
Audi and Porsche, among others, considered their options for 2026; the former announced it will participate, while negotiations with Red Bull fell through for the latter at an early level.
Honda is allegedly debating whether to stage yet another comeback as businesses flock to Formula One to profit from the sport’s current spike in popularity around the world.
However, BMW won’t be one of them as the Munich-based company will be concentrating on other motorsport initiatives.
Why isn’t Ferrari in Formula One?
Ferrari has used its advantageous position to demand concessions from the F1 World Championship’s organizers ever since 1950, the sport’s debut season. (And that has actually occurred since 1950; according to James Allen, the Ferrari team skipped the opening championship race due to a disagreement over the start money.)
Why aren’t Lamborghinis in Formula One?
I am a tremendous fan of all types of auto racing, but recently I’ve developed a strong interest in Formula 1. But the more I see it, the more I begin to wonder why I don’t see Lamborghini challenging it.
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Why Lamborghini isn’t in Formula 1 is a question that has been asked before, and it will likely be asked again. There are a few possibilities put forth by the brand’s supporters, and Lamborghini has also provided some of its own.
- Automobile racing has never been important to Lamborghini. Contrary to the Ferrari 250 GT he had been driving, Ferruccio Lamborghini founded his company primarily to provide fast, attractive, fun-to-drive street vehicles.
- They didn’t want to harm their reputation as a brand. However, in order to avoid being connected with a losing team, Lamborghini ran its brief F1 effort as Modena.
The manufacturer says the money they would spend on the program is better used on green projects as an explanation for why Lamborghini isn’t currently participating in F1.
We’ll leave it up to you to decide which you think is the most plausible explanation for Lamborghini’s absence from F1. And while you’re learning about Lamborghinis, why not spend a few seconds with Jerry learning how to cut costs on your auto insurance?
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