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.
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BMW M Boss said, “We have no ambitions for Formula 1.”
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.
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 is not actively preparing a 2026 F1 comeback.
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.
If BMW Returned To Formula One, This Is How A Livery Might Appear.
Although they may have left Formula One at the end of 2009, we frequently consider what may have happened had BMW persisted in the sport. Well, that was merely done by one graphic designer, and my gosh, it looks gorgeous!
We are, quite honestly, head over heels in love with the photographs that Sean Bull Design, all-around master designer, released on his social media.
The 2021 BMW F1 livery idea has an asymmetrical color scheme and a variety of hues, including pearl white, matte black, and chrome M stripe gradients.
Sean has experience creating stunning liveries; he is a graphic designer for the Alpine F1 Team and has also done freelance work for Red Bull, Hyundai, and the Dragon Formula E Team.
It’s very beautiful work, and if you want to see more of Sean’s designs, make sure to follow him on Twitter and other social media.
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According to the article, BMW is presently making significant investments in its LMDh racing vehicle, which is anticipated to debut for the 2024 racing season. With this racing vehicle, BMW will face off against rivals like Volkswagen AG companies Lamborghini, Porsche, and Audi, each of which is engaged in its own LMDh project.
Additionally, BMW has the M4 GT3 race vehicle in its lineup; the GT4 version is expected to debut in mid-June of this year. Additionally, there is the entry-level M2 CS Racing variant, a small sports coupe based on the previous M2 F87.
At a time when Volkswagen Group companies like Audi and Porsche have been vying to enter the circuit, BMW shows its resistance to F1 re-entry. By 2026, when new rules will be implemented, both German luxury vehicle manufacturers intend to compete in Formula One.
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 the F1?
Audi and Porsche have now confirmed their participation. BMW, however, has stated that it would not participate in the sport again. From 2006 until 2009, the company had its own Formula 1 team, but it now wishes to concentrate on other initiatives.
BMW quit the sport in 2009 after working with Williams and Sauber, among others. There have been rumors of them returning. Manufacturers should find it more appealing to enter Formula 1 thanks to the revised engine restrictions that will take effect in 2026. The barrier to participation ought to be reduced than it was with an engine that is less expensive and sophisticated. The head of BMW Motorsport and Mike Krack’s replacement, Andreas Roos, explains why the company is not interested in entering Formula 1.
Are Audi’s F1 days numbered?
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.