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BMW quitting F1 after 2009 season

 
7 1,535 views Jul 29, 2009

BMW plans to use the money it saves from quitting F1 for new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability

BMW plans to use the money it saves from quitting F1 for new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability

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BMW announced at an urgent press conference in Munich on Wednesday morning that it will withdraw from formula one at the end of the 2009 season. The decision was made at a board meeting 24 hours earlier.

"I can understand why this decision was made from a corporate perspective," said team boss Mario Theissen, who admitted he was disappointed but would push for good results in the seven remaining grands prix.

Bernie Ecclestone said earlier he believes the decision was due to a lack of results.

"It's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment," said board chairman Dr Norbert Reithofer. "Premium will be increasingly defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead. We are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability. Our formula one campaign is thus less a key promoter for us."

It was confirmed that the saved money would be used for "new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability", and involvement in other motor racing series including American Le Mans. BMW also said possible redundancies both in Munich and at the BMW-Sauber team's Hinwil base in Switzerland "cannot be quantified at present", but it is already rumored that minority shareholder and founder Peter Sauber may step in and keep the team in operation.

"Since we only made this decision yesterday, we cannot provide any more precise information," said development board member Dr Klaus Draeger. "We will develop and assess various scenarios and do our best to find a solution for the employees," he added. "We are aware of the responsibility we shoulder and will inform the staff as soon as we can make a clear statement."

BMW's exit is the first prominent withdrawal from the series since Honda quit in December due to tough business conditions. That team was resurrected as Brawn GP, the current championship leaders who now use Mercedes engines.



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Comments (7)

  1. ma_Mike avatar Mike Posted: 7/29/2009 6:23am PDT

    BMW in ALMS? I wonder if we'll see a successor to the V12 LMR? Or just a focus on the M3?
     
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  2. ma_m5_dude avatar m5_dude Posted: 7/29/2009 12:02pm PDT

    I truly hope to see a P1 car from BMW resulting from this. Perfect opportunity to showcase their "green technology" much like Audi did paving the way for diesel powered P1 cars. With their F1 experience BMW could implement the KERS or a similar system in LMS and/or ALMS
     
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  3. ma_secrummy avatar secrummy Posted: 7/29/2009 12:02pm PDT

    I really thought they might do well this year, based on their improvement over the last two seasons. Alas, I was mistaken. Let's hope Sauber steps in and keeps the team alive.
     
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  4. ma_gazzed avatar gazzed Posted: 7/30/2009 12:50am PDT

    They ought to join Audi and Mercedes at the DTM's...
     
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  5. ma_iftwb avatar iftwb Posted: 7/30/2009 1:34am PDT

    It's perfectly fine for BMW to leave Formula 1. It is a very wise move indeed. Sure it may seem like a 'wuss' move, but its all in the interests of trying to retain financial stability as much as they can, especially in a time of economic instability.

    I doubt that they're quitting F1 entirely on the fact that their performance is not up to scratch. BMW Sauber F1 only came in 2006. Over 2-3 year is managed to rank very highly right up to 2nd, 3rd and in 2008; they were even in the spotlight to claim Constructor championship.

    It won't be long before other teams follow, F1 has just become so political, money-hungry and people; especially those in Europe are losing interest in it. There are better races in the FIA, why stay with F1. BMW should concentrate on other FIA races. They're new M3 GT2 is slaughtering and claiming heaps of championships. Some of us may think BMW is rather crap when it comes to Motorsport racing; but actually take the time for yourself and look up all the FIA races BMW has competed in...it has been absolutely, insanely successful with the E30 320i, E46 M3 GTR and E92 M3 GT2.

    I think BMW should give a shot at the DTM against Opel and Mercedes-Benz. If BMW production cars can claim faster track times on the Nurburgring and Top Gear's infamous Power Track even against a CLK DTM, 63 AMG Black Series; why not give it a shot at DTM?
     
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  6. ma_Suggs avatar Suggs Posted: 7/30/2009 7:14am PDT

    An I one of the many praying thet BMW will decide with the pulling out of F1 they will consider a works team for the BTTC again - it's in racing like this that they made theor name woth the old 635csi and the early M3's
     
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  7. By  bmwm6 Posted: 9/1/2009 9:36am PDT

    bmw power
     
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