BMW: Motorsports News
06-22-2005, 11:32 AM
#1
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BMW: Motorsports News
6/22/2005 9:13:59 AM
BMW have confirmed long suspected rumors that it will enter its own team in the Formula One championship.
The German carmaker says it will purchase majority control of the Sauber-Petronas team and enter a BMW managed team in the championship starting in 2006.
BMW says it will also complete the buyout of shares held by Credit Suisse by 2008.
Peter Sauber, who has headed the team since its F1 debut in 1993, will continue to hold an interest in the team and will assist BMW as an adviser.
"For Sauber, the partnership with BMW is an ideal solution as it supports the two goals which have always been paramount for me," said Sauber. "Firstly, to offer the team the possibility of improving their sporting performance, and secondly, to safeguard the site at Hinwil and the jobs of today’s 300-strong workforce."
"The involvement of six car manufacturers has resulted in significant changes to Formula One in recent years. For the private teams in particular, it has become increasingly difficult to secure solid financing which enables the achievement of sporting success as well. For some years, I have also been thinking in terms of succession planning – in the light of the very specific demands of Formula One, that is no easy matter."
BMW says it would like to continue supplying engines to the Williams F1 team but there was no announcement made about that on Wednesday. However, the relationship between the two has deteriorated over the last few years and many don't expect it will continue beyond this season.
"Success in Formula One increasingly depends on the perfect interplay of all factors," said Burkhard Goeschel, the BMW management board member in charge of Formula One. "With a team managed by BMW we will, as of next year, take on responsibility for the entire package, which will include the key factors of the chassis, tires and drivers."
"Naturally this decision impacts on our partnership with Williams F1," he went on to say. "We want to discuss the future options together with Williams F1 in order to find the right way forward for both sides."
BMW says it expects to finalize the new team's name, driver lineup and management by the end of the year. Jacques Villeneuve's future with the team will be re-evaluated even though he has one more year left in his contract.
It's likely that BMW will want to have a German-based driver on the team with Nick Heidfeld expected to move to the front of the line, based on his performance this season with BMW-Williams.
BMW have confirmed long suspected rumors that it will enter its own team in the Formula One championship.
The German carmaker says it will purchase majority control of the Sauber-Petronas team and enter a BMW managed team in the championship starting in 2006.
BMW says it will also complete the buyout of shares held by Credit Suisse by 2008.
Peter Sauber, who has headed the team since its F1 debut in 1993, will continue to hold an interest in the team and will assist BMW as an adviser.
"For Sauber, the partnership with BMW is an ideal solution as it supports the two goals which have always been paramount for me," said Sauber. "Firstly, to offer the team the possibility of improving their sporting performance, and secondly, to safeguard the site at Hinwil and the jobs of today’s 300-strong workforce."
"The involvement of six car manufacturers has resulted in significant changes to Formula One in recent years. For the private teams in particular, it has become increasingly difficult to secure solid financing which enables the achievement of sporting success as well. For some years, I have also been thinking in terms of succession planning – in the light of the very specific demands of Formula One, that is no easy matter."
BMW says it would like to continue supplying engines to the Williams F1 team but there was no announcement made about that on Wednesday. However, the relationship between the two has deteriorated over the last few years and many don't expect it will continue beyond this season.
"Success in Formula One increasingly depends on the perfect interplay of all factors," said Burkhard Goeschel, the BMW management board member in charge of Formula One. "With a team managed by BMW we will, as of next year, take on responsibility for the entire package, which will include the key factors of the chassis, tires and drivers."
"Naturally this decision impacts on our partnership with Williams F1," he went on to say. "We want to discuss the future options together with Williams F1 in order to find the right way forward for both sides."
BMW says it expects to finalize the new team's name, driver lineup and management by the end of the year. Jacques Villeneuve's future with the team will be re-evaluated even though he has one more year left in his contract.
It's likely that BMW will want to have a German-based driver on the team with Nick Heidfeld expected to move to the front of the line, based on his performance this season with BMW-Williams.
06-22-2005, 02:34 PM
#2
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I'm kinda ambivalent about all the teams becoming factory efforts. I kinda like privateer guys a la Colin Chapman, Bruce McLaren etc. doing battle w/ the big guns and winning. Of course nowadays, privateers suck hind tit and basically become high speed chicanes. Say ba-Bye JV!
but should be interesting in 06
06-27-2005, 08:10 PM
#4
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f1 would be great if it were manufacture battles like nascar (ie ford chevy dodge , and soon to be toyota 
) but with all private teams, not factory based teams like it is now. oh and another 10 or so cars would be nice
) but with all private teams, not factory based teams like it is now. oh and another 10 or so cars would be nice
06-28-2005, 04:20 PM
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I understand your point fsttyms - there's a lot of ways to generate interest in the sport and brand is a good one. If only NASCAR cars were actually made by Ford, GM, Chevy, Dodge, etc. The cars are templated specials and the engines are built by every Bubba up and down the Carolina highway.
Nextel Cup cars are so far removed from anything resembling a manufacturer it's not even funny. At least in F1 Honda actually builds its Honda engines (and the others build theirs). And with BMW now entering the fray full blast there will be 4 manufacturers building engines AND cars (Toyota, BMW, Ferrari, Renault). Honda might soon be in there when/if they finish buying out BAR.
Point is - it's the same in F1 as in Nextel Cup except the manufacturers take an active role instead of just paying to put the name and the decal headlights on the front.
Nextel Cup cars are so far removed from anything resembling a manufacturer it's not even funny. At least in F1 Honda actually builds its Honda engines (and the others build theirs). And with BMW now entering the fray full blast there will be 4 manufacturers building engines AND cars (Toyota, BMW, Ferrari, Renault). Honda might soon be in there when/if they finish buying out BAR.
Point is - it's the same in F1 as in Nextel Cup except the manufacturers take an active role instead of just paying to put the name and the decal headlights on the front.
07-07-2005, 10:26 AM
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NASCAR SUCKS!!
Open wheel is where it is at, where if you bump into the other guy, however slightly, the price is probably going to be a DNF. GO fast and only turn left is fine when if you touch, someone is going to have a really bad day. Give me F1, Champ, Indy, Midgets, Go Karts .... etc any day over NASCAR. The only time that NASCAR is worth the time to watch is the highlights of the wrecks, who doesn't like to see 15-20 cars taken out in one wreck?? I know that I do! I know that NASCAR is commerially successful, but for the life of me I really don't get it.. The cars are not built by the manufacturers they represent, they only have two races that are anything but left turns, it was born out of a bunch of bootleggers getting together to see who had the fastest wheels. and it doesn't even lead to any sort of automotive development. At least F1 leads to development of new technologies for street use, like the paddle shifters we are seeing today. Now I just want that 900 HP 19 grand redline V12 to dropped into something.... the NSX maybe????? heheh
sorry for the off topic discussion, just really dislike NASCAR......
Open wheel is where it is at, where if you bump into the other guy, however slightly, the price is probably going to be a DNF. GO fast and only turn left is fine when if you touch, someone is going to have a really bad day. Give me F1, Champ, Indy, Midgets, Go Karts .... etc any day over NASCAR. The only time that NASCAR is worth the time to watch is the highlights of the wrecks, who doesn't like to see 15-20 cars taken out in one wreck?? I know that I do! I know that NASCAR is commerially successful, but for the life of me I really don't get it.. The cars are not built by the manufacturers they represent, they only have two races that are anything but left turns, it was born out of a bunch of bootleggers getting together to see who had the fastest wheels. and it doesn't even lead to any sort of automotive development. At least F1 leads to development of new technologies for street use, like the paddle shifters we are seeing today. Now I just want that 900 HP 19 grand redline V12 to dropped into something.... the NSX maybe????? heheh
sorry for the off topic discussion, just really dislike NASCAR......
12-01-2005, 05:58 AM
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JV confirmed at Sauber/BMW
I don't know how the hell he did it--certainly has someone fooled (Thiessen)
Trending Topics
12-01-2005, 10:53 AM
#8
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Probably a combination of 1) too expensive to buy out Villeneuve's contract and 2) BMW's car won't be competitive anyway in 06.
12-01-2005, 04:22 PM
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why do you discount it? Sauber had a chassis that at its best, was enough to outpace Ferrari (I recall 2 distinct occasions but not which races) and BMW builds hella engines. I'd be surprised if they ran very well.
12-02-2005, 01:24 PM
#10
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Well, it will basically be a new team. I'd be surprised if the BMW and Sauber sides could get together quickly enough to be that effective next year. But the new V8 formula could be to their benefit.
12-08-2005, 11:44 AM
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It will be a "new team" in the mold of Red Bull which used Jag chassis develpment and engines to score more points in one season than Jag did in all its tenure as a team. This could surely happen w/ BMW Sauber.
12-10-2005, 02:12 AM
#12
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the only reason it was better than the ferrari was the Bridgestone tires on the ferrari. Bridgestoen has some serious work to do to catch up with Michelin
12-12-2005, 03:28 PM
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Not anymore. Tires changes are back - Bridgestone just goes back to where they were 2 years ago and starts to collect data from Williams and Toyota as well as the Scuderia and you're looking at a potential Ferrari resurgence.
12-13-2005, 02:41 PM
#14
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Unfortunately, nobody knows how the new V8's will stack up between the various manufacturers. Remember new engine, new design. The reliability and power output issues may very well throw all predictions down the drain.
07-05-2006, 04:02 PM
#15
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BMW aero junk
Seen testing in Jerez.
Safety hazard, we'll never see it on the tracks.
07-05-2006, 04:20 PM
#17
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I wonder what this does. Redirecting the airflow to the rear wings?
07-06-2006, 09:28 AM
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This must be part of the "radically new aero package" Williams is going to debut at Magny Cours Weber speaks about on ITV.
07-06-2006, 09:36 AM
#20
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Chief F1 Fan
This must be part of the "radically new aero package" Williams is going to debut at Magny Cours Weber speaks about on ITV.
But thats a Sauber BMW
Williams is now powered by Cosworth.
07-06-2006, 10:29 AM
#22
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Someone's living in 2005.
07-06-2006, 01:36 PM
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I get those cars mixed up all the time, even when I saw them live they're hard to tell apart.
07-14-2006, 07:41 AM
#24
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BMW is actually using them on the track this weekend. It might be ugly, but it is quick. Kubica had the best time in practice session 1.
07-14-2006, 12:45 PM
#26
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They redirect air to the rear of the car. You can see that it is slightly angled away from the driver's helmet. It should help the rear downforce of the car if it works. It's ugly, that's all I need to know. 
07-14-2006, 01:32 PM
#27
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Kubica fastest in new look F1.06
BMW-Sauber test driver Robert Kubica set the fastest time in practice Friday for this weekend's French Grand Prix.
The Polish driver was quickest in both sessions, setting his best lap in the morning practice, 1:16.794. Kubica was debuting the new F1.06 which sported several new fins on the front nose.
The winglets have been dubbed the "Twin Towers", not in reference to the former New York City structures which were destroyed in a terrorist threat, but rather as a nod to the skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur which house Malaysian oil giant and team sponsor Petronas.
The team tested the new aerodynamic parts in Jerez, Spain last week and neither of the three drivers had any issues with visibility.
"We have plenty of antennas in front of us already, I don't like having the antennas for starters," said Jacques Villeneuve, who finished 26th in the afternoon session after posting the eighth best time in the morning. "But they don't impact on visibility, in testing it wasn't a problem."
Asked why the change was made, Villeneuve quipped, "It looks funny, so that's a good reason to run it."
Many have wondered whether the winglets would be allowed by FIA after similar "tower" designs were banned in the late 1990's. The official reason back then was on safety grounds but many believe F1 officials were concerned that the towers simply looked ugly on television.
Honda tester Anthony Davidson was second quickest overall on the day, posting his best time in the morning session, 1:17.133.
Fernando Alonso was the quickest of the F1 regulars, posting the third best time overall followed by Alexander Wurz in the Williams-Cosworth. Giancarlo Fisichella in the second Renault rounded out the top five best times of the day.
Michael Schumacher was seventh best on the day while McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen was well down the list, completing just a total of nine laps in the afternoon and finishing the session off course as the checkered flag fell.
New teammate Pedro de la Rosa finished near the back of the pack as well, almost three seconds off the pace set by Kubica. The Spaniard will be replacing Juan Pablo Montoya this weekend in the second McLaren.
Rookie Nico Rosberg completed a total of 26 laps in his Williams-Cosworth but was facing the possibility of an engine change prior to Saturday's qualifying. The team says over-revving of the Cosworth engine at the last race in Indianapolis may have damaged the power unit. An examination of the engine will take place tonight before a final decision is made to switch out the powerplant. If that happens, Rosberg will incur a 10 spot penalty on the starting grid.
BMW-Sauber test driver Robert Kubica set the fastest time in practice Friday for this weekend's French Grand Prix.
The Polish driver was quickest in both sessions, setting his best lap in the morning practice, 1:16.794. Kubica was debuting the new F1.06 which sported several new fins on the front nose.
The winglets have been dubbed the "Twin Towers", not in reference to the former New York City structures which were destroyed in a terrorist threat, but rather as a nod to the skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur which house Malaysian oil giant and team sponsor Petronas.
The team tested the new aerodynamic parts in Jerez, Spain last week and neither of the three drivers had any issues with visibility.
"We have plenty of antennas in front of us already, I don't like having the antennas for starters," said Jacques Villeneuve, who finished 26th in the afternoon session after posting the eighth best time in the morning. "But they don't impact on visibility, in testing it wasn't a problem."
Asked why the change was made, Villeneuve quipped, "It looks funny, so that's a good reason to run it."
Many have wondered whether the winglets would be allowed by FIA after similar "tower" designs were banned in the late 1990's. The official reason back then was on safety grounds but many believe F1 officials were concerned that the towers simply looked ugly on television.
Honda tester Anthony Davidson was second quickest overall on the day, posting his best time in the morning session, 1:17.133.
Fernando Alonso was the quickest of the F1 regulars, posting the third best time overall followed by Alexander Wurz in the Williams-Cosworth. Giancarlo Fisichella in the second Renault rounded out the top five best times of the day.
Michael Schumacher was seventh best on the day while McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen was well down the list, completing just a total of nine laps in the afternoon and finishing the session off course as the checkered flag fell.
New teammate Pedro de la Rosa finished near the back of the pack as well, almost three seconds off the pace set by Kubica. The Spaniard will be replacing Juan Pablo Montoya this weekend in the second McLaren.
Rookie Nico Rosberg completed a total of 26 laps in his Williams-Cosworth but was facing the possibility of an engine change prior to Saturday's qualifying. The team says over-revving of the Cosworth engine at the last race in Indianapolis may have damaged the power unit. An examination of the engine will take place tonight before a final decision is made to switch out the powerplant. If that happens, Rosberg will incur a 10 spot penalty on the starting grid.
07-14-2006, 09:14 PM
#28
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Not only are they running the vanes but they also are running Viking harns ala Macca.
I don't see it becoming a trend, more likely it helps fix a problem that top teams have found a more elegant solution for. I feel the Viking horns are the same for Macca, it stands to reason every major team has tried them and can't get any benefit from them.
However saying it won't become a trend only applies unless or until the FIA mandates the split rear wing, if that happens vertical turning vanes may indeed become the norm, sadly...
I don't see it becoming a trend, more likely it helps fix a problem that top teams have found a more elegant solution for. I feel the Viking horns are the same for Macca, it stands to reason every major team has tried them and can't get any benefit from them.
However saying it won't become a trend only applies unless or until the FIA mandates the split rear wing, if that happens vertical turning vanes may indeed become the norm, sadly...
07-26-2006, 07:29 AM
#29
Senior Moderator
It has been banned by the FIA on safety grounds (visibility).
08-07-2006, 02:01 PM
#30
Lola
Villeneuve has parted ways with BMW-Sauber
Villeneuve out at BMW-Sauber
Canadian Press
8/7/2006 9:44:34 AM
BUDAPEST, Hungary (CP-AP) - Jacques Villeneuve has parted ways with Formula One team BMW-Sauber.
The Quebec driver made the announcement Monday on his website, with both sides agreeing to terminate their contract immediately.
The statement said his departure became inevitable when BMW-Sauber could not guarantee to him a return to driving by the end of the 2006 season.
"This is really disappointing as I was looking forward to working with BMW on longer terms - going into next season capitalizing on our common experiences," he said on his website. "I will now have more time to concentrate on future projects."
Villeneuve's last race for BMW was July 30, when he crashed at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim, although he did not appear to be hurt.
He will be replaced for the five remaining races this season by Robert Kubica, who took his place Sunday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Villeneuve added that he intends to look at other options and that includes joining NASCAR.
Mario Theissen, the owner of BMW-Sauber, said in a statement Villeneuve had made a significant contribution to the team, but after his recent accident, the team decided to re-examine its options for the next season.
"We fully understand that it is difficult for Jacques to maintain his natural level of commitment in circumstances of uncertainty," Theissen said.
This is the second time Villeneuve, 35, has been dropped by a F1 team before the end of the season.
In 2003, BAR-Honda replaced Villeneuve with Takuma Sato for the Japanese Grand Prix, the last race of the campaign. Sato had been signed for the 2004 season and the team said it wanted to give him an early start in Honda's home country.
Villeneuve won the Indy 500 and the CART championship in 1995. He came to F1 in 1996 for the Williams team and finished second behind teammate Damon Hill in the championship standings.
In 1997, Villeneuve won the Formula One title, winning seven races.
Villeneuve moved to BAR in 1999, staying until the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix. In 2004 he came back for three races as a replacement for Jarno Trulli on the Renault team, then moved to Sauber at the start of the 2005 season.
Villeneuve, the son of the late F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve, notched 11 victories on the F1 circuit, his last coming at the Luxembourg Grand Prix in 1997. This year, his best finish was a sixth place in Australia.
8/7/2006 9:44:34 AM
BUDAPEST, Hungary (CP-AP) - Jacques Villeneuve has parted ways with Formula One team BMW-Sauber.
The Quebec driver made the announcement Monday on his website, with both sides agreeing to terminate their contract immediately.
The statement said his departure became inevitable when BMW-Sauber could not guarantee to him a return to driving by the end of the 2006 season.
"This is really disappointing as I was looking forward to working with BMW on longer terms - going into next season capitalizing on our common experiences," he said on his website. "I will now have more time to concentrate on future projects."
Villeneuve's last race for BMW was July 30, when he crashed at the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim, although he did not appear to be hurt.
He will be replaced for the five remaining races this season by Robert Kubica, who took his place Sunday at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Villeneuve added that he intends to look at other options and that includes joining NASCAR.
Mario Theissen, the owner of BMW-Sauber, said in a statement Villeneuve had made a significant contribution to the team, but after his recent accident, the team decided to re-examine its options for the next season.
"We fully understand that it is difficult for Jacques to maintain his natural level of commitment in circumstances of uncertainty," Theissen said.
This is the second time Villeneuve, 35, has been dropped by a F1 team before the end of the season.
In 2003, BAR-Honda replaced Villeneuve with Takuma Sato for the Japanese Grand Prix, the last race of the campaign. Sato had been signed for the 2004 season and the team said it wanted to give him an early start in Honda's home country.
Villeneuve won the Indy 500 and the CART championship in 1995. He came to F1 in 1996 for the Williams team and finished second behind teammate Damon Hill in the championship standings.
In 1997, Villeneuve won the Formula One title, winning seven races.
Villeneuve moved to BAR in 1999, staying until the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix. In 2004 he came back for three races as a replacement for Jarno Trulli on the Renault team, then moved to Sauber at the start of the 2005 season.
Villeneuve, the son of the late F1 driver Gilles Villeneuve, notched 11 victories on the F1 circuit, his last coming at the Luxembourg Grand Prix in 1997. This year, his best finish was a sixth place in Australia.
08-07-2006, 02:05 PM
#31
Senior Moderator
02-05-2007, 08:21 AM
#32
Senior Moderator
BMW on ice
Pretty cool, too bad they don't have this event on the world championship calendar. BMW F1.06 on a frozen lake in Switzerland. Fitted with spiked snow tires.
those are some crazy snow tires
02-05-2007, 09:14 AM
#34
Engineer
any vids? that i nuts...
02-05-2007, 09:50 AM
#36
Senior Moderator
Employees at the Bridgestone Technology Centre Tokyo had to rise to a new challenge: to design a Formula One tyre that would offer Nick the necessary grip for his ride on St Moritz' frozen race track.
The special F1 snow tyres feature 420 studs on each of the front tyres and 588 studs on each of the rear tyres. It took two Bridgestone technicians over 16 hours to manually insert all 2,016 studs into the double layer of tread compound on one set of tyres alone.
The special F1 snow tyres feature 420 studs on each of the front tyres and 588 studs on each of the rear tyres. It took two Bridgestone technicians over 16 hours to manually insert all 2,016 studs into the double layer of tread compound on one set of tyres alone.
That's a lot of work.
02-05-2007, 11:08 AM
#38
Senior Moderator
Sweet!
