Despite interest from competing automakers, BMW has stated that it has no plans to return to Formula 1 anytime soon.
The 2026 engine standards were unveiled this month, and the FIA confirmed that they would increase electrical power and utilise sustainable fuels.
Audi announced shortly after the announcement that it would join the sport in 2026 as a power unit provider, while Porsche is also looking for a partner.
BMW, though, is concentrating on its LMDh development and has no immediate plans to join their German rivals on the grid.
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2026 will see Audi and Porsche enter Formula 1. How will BMW respond?
Why did Porsche and Audi chose a Formula 1 entry when BMW is concentrating on Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh), also known as IMSA GTP more recently? According to Diess, the decision-making process demonstrated how positively the F1 championship is “growing significantly worldwide.” Additionally, he thinks that the exposure of F1 in the United States is a positive development for the championship.
In motorsport, only Formula 1 really matters and is differentiating itself, according to Diess, if you look at the major sporting events or events in the globe. “If you compete in motorsports, you should focus on Formula 1, as it has the biggest impact. In addition, you cannot enter Formula 1 unless a technological window opens, which requires a rule change to allow entry: everyone must restart from the same position.”
Although Porsche and Audi have each begun their own engine development, the specifics are still a mystery. particularly with regard to how the two brands will contend in F1. Porsche and Red Bull have been linked in rumors, while McLaren was rumored to be up for acquisition by Audi, a claim that has been refuted by the McLaren PR department.
Diess adds that not all board members supported the businesses’ entry into Formula 1. According to the senior executive of VW, the brand’s current goals include autonomous driving, battery development, and new software capabilities. However, the board recognized the value of the brand exposure that Formula 1 offers.
Will BMW now reevaluate their Formula One plan? One thing is clear, though: starting in 2026, the world’s premier motorsport championship will feature competition between all the major premium vehicle brands.
Now that Audi has joined the sport, should BMW think about entering F1?
Audi recently made the official announcement that it will compete in Formula 1 for the first time, which is a significant development for Audi, the Volkswagen Group, and the sport overall. It’s tremendously exciting for me as an F1 fan to see Audi join the league. As a fan of automobiles, I think it’s fantastic that more brands participate in motorsport since it advances their technological capabilities and advances the industry. What about BMW supporters, though? Are they upset that a competitor is returning to a sport that many of them had hoped BMW would rejoin? And now that two of BMW’s key competitors are present, should it rejoin?
The largest competitor to BMW is Mercedes, which has been extremely successful in Formula One for many years. Mercedes has a bit more motorsports renown and legitimacy than BMW thanks to its world championship wins, which must irritate the M Division. Audi, BMW’s primary German rival, has recently joined F1 and will also contend for a title. In 2026, even Porsche will take part in the sport. So, does BMW decide to make a comeback or does it continue to be the lame German duck out of the race? It’s also important to note that Markus Duesmann, the current CEO of Audi, is a BMW alum.
Starting in 2026, Audi will compete in Formula One alongside Sauber, BMW’s former F1 partner, and will provide the vehicle’s engines. Audi will need to put in a lot of work if they want to be even remotely as successful as the current Alfa Romeo Sauber team (Alfa will depart in 2026). Although current drivers Valterri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are both capable drivers (Guanyu is a very promising young driver), their vehicles simply cannot compete with those made by Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes. Perhaps the engineers and engines from Audi can change that. However, new drivers are also anticipated to exist in 2026.
Audi sought a partner when it made its joining announcement. Instead of forming a brand-new team, it preferred to collaborate with an existing one. If BMW were interested in another F1 entry, it would probably take the same action. It might try to court a few teams, like Williams, Haas F1, or even bigger fish like McLaren.
Even though it is quite doubtful, it would be awesome to see BMW return to Formula One. BMW is still very active in motorsport, but not in anything as well-known or well-known as Formula 1. As it switches to electric vehicles, Audi decided to enter F1 because it will give its cars legitimate motorsport credentials. Fans would like it if BMW did the same. Will that occur? Nothing has come to our attention that would indicate BMW is even considering it. But imagining it is enjoyable.
A higher priority is LMDh.
Herbert Diess, the CEO of the Volkswagen Group, recently reaffirmed the German conglomerate’s aim to compete in Formula 1 alongside Porsche and Audi. Combustion engines won’t switch to fully synthetic fuel until 2026, when a new set of laws will restructure the market (again). In about four years, our colleagues at BMWBLOG were interested to learn if Bayerische Motoren Werke AG intended to reenter the game.
Unfortunately, the folks from Bavaria don’t have such plans, as BMW M chief Frank Van Meel stated that the M division’s motorsports branch “had no ambitions for Formula 1.” According to the M CEO, restrictions governing powertrains are the reason the firm won’t make a comeback after splitting with Sauber in 2009:
“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. Therefore, it was extremely evident to us. Let’s go quickly into the electrification section.”
Since a 2023 entry has been ruled out, the business is now significantly investing in its Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) racer, which is now anticipated to debut for the 2024 season. Since Lamborghini, Porsche, and Audi are all engaged in LMDh projects, BMW will still have to compete with the VW Group even if it decides not to return to Formula 1. Acura, Cadillac, Alpine, and Peugeot will accompany them.
BMW’s motorsport division also includes the M4 GT3 race vehicle, which will be launched in mid-June at the Virginia International Raceway during rounds five and six of the 2022 SRO Americas Championship. In addition to the LMDh program, this division also runs the LMDh. The entry-level M2 CS Racing, which is based on the previous M2 F87, is another option. In the upcoming months, the small sports coupe will become the G87 vehicle in its road-going configuration.
A fresh teaser image for the LMDh race car will reportedly be unveiled in June as well, according to reliable sources at BMWBLOG.
Despite the recent manufacturer entries, BMW says it is currently not interested in joining Formula 1 and is instead concentrating on its LMDh program.
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 made a significant financial commitment in Formula 1; thus, you must continue to be extremely successful for a very long time. The vast array of initiatives we now have in motorsport makes us delighted.”
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.” “Not just in 2026 when Formula 1 moves in this route, LMDh fits there wonderfully. From that perspective, today is the ideal time for us to do LMDh.”
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 of this, LMDh is unquestionably more significant to us than Formula 1. The topic of electrification is too far away from our series M products, but it is also too far away in time.”
BMW has no interest in purchasing McLaren or entering Formula 1.
Despite the expected entrance of its German rivals Audi and Porsche starting in 2026, BMW insists they have no interest in returning to Formula 1.
When the new generation of power units is released in 2026, Audi has already stated their ambition to enter Formula One as an engine manufacturer at the very least. However, it’s possible that they will have a much wider participation because a partnership with Sauber is reportedly imminent.
The failure of negotiations with Red Bull on a potential alliance has prevented Porsche, another member of the Volkswagen Group, from following Audi.
There are five main automakers in Germany, and because Mercedes is one of the biggest names in Formula One and Volkswagen has temporarily stopped participating in motorsport, that leaves only BMW.
The longest period of time without a BMW engagement in Formula One has now been 13 years, but that record will be shattered and nothing is going to change anytime soon.
This is true despite recent rumors that BMW was considering purchasing at least a minority share in McLaren, which had initially surfaced in 2017.
“You should, in my opinion, also be practical. You must be really successful for a very long time in Formula 1 to recoup your large initial expenditure.
“Therefore, we are pleased with the wide variety of initiatives we now have in motorsport.”
The Le Mans Daytona H (LMDh) car, which will race in the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class starting next year and fits better with BMW’s push toward electrification, is one of the blooms in the bouquet to which Roos alludes.
The CEO of BMW M, the company’s high-performance automotive business, Frank van Meel, stated that Formula 1 is now “not a priority one item.”
Added him: “While LMDh is. Naturally, Formula 1 is a very traditional sport, and we also have traditions on the Formula 1 side of things.
“The subject of LMDh is far more intriguing to me. Now it’s their turn. Furthermore, we don’t want to wait until 2026 for the appropriate Formula 1 rules.
“We participate in motorsports not just for marketing purposes but also so that we can produce content for the series and grow as a team. Because of this, LMDh is unquestionably more significant to us than Formula 1. The topic of electrification is too far away from our series M products, but it is also too far away in time.”
Regarding investing in McLaren, Van Meel continued: “BMW is very exacting in this regard. BMW doesn’t acquire other businesses. We prefer not to invest elsewhere because we are autonomous.
“Of course, people are communicating with one another on multiple levels. That, however, is untrue. BMW won’t be purchasing McLaren.”