BMW to leave Formula One at end of 2009

[gibells]

or they don't value what the F1 brand will bring to BMW in the next 3 years.

Remember, BMW is about prestige, exclusivity, a show of success. F1 under 'budget cap'-like costs is no longer exclusive to only the best (and as such BMW proving to beat the best), but to any lower level teams who can put 40-80mil of sponsorship together.

Based on your logic I really don't see why BMW participate in any touring car events. I mean, losing to SEATs and DAEWOOS/Chevrolets has got to be bottom of the barrel. They would be better off competing in the LeMans series or maybe DTC. Or some new form of motorsport which pushes the ethos of their 'Efficient Dynamics' campaign. Or perhaps take the highroad on not compete in motorsport at all?

[axle]

BMW finds buyer.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78655

BMW has announced that the Qadbak Investments company has agreed to purchase the Formula 1 team based in Hinwil.

The German company had revealed earlier this year that it will quit Formula 1 at the end of the season, and had been in talks with interested parties since then.

On Tuesday, BMW said it had signed the contract to sell the team to Qadbak, a Swiss-based foundation which represents the interests of certain Middle East and European-based families.

[modbaraban]

I really hope to see Sauber team (and name) on the grid next year. This is million times better than fake Lotuses and March's.

Any chance for a Mercedes engine? Sauber-Mercedes sounds great to me

[n smikle]

Suppose BMW still have engines for sale? I don't see why they would stop making them when the blueprint is already laid down.. all they have to to is make some money off the engines now.

[sticky667]

Suppose BMW still have engines for sale? I don't see why they would stop making them when the blueprint is already laid down.. all they have to to is make some money off the engines now.

they need reliability first.

[ringo]

I think they need better a lubricant brand.

[xpensive]

Since the folding of the breakaway series and the re-confirmation of Ferrari's "special status" with FIA,
I think BMW had quite enough of Formula One.

[mx_tifoso]

Speculation has it that the new team will use Ferrari engines and gearboxes...

[WhiteBlue]

BMW have officially denied that they will supply engines. And Peter Sauber has a long standing history of collaboration with Ferrari as an engine customer. He isn't too far away from Maranello, a lot less than Brixworth anyway. So going back to old success recipies isn't so far fetched.

[King Six]

This new Sauber_Quadbank(?) team don't even know if they'll be able to compete in 2010 yet seeing as Lotus beat them to it and now they'll have to wait about the 28 car thing.

I'm guessing BMW are going to just take a break from F1 for awhile and that includes engines and such. No clue who they'll team up with next season. Cosworth I think have their hands abit full now.

[ISLAMATRON]

I think they need better a lubricant brand.

Patronas lubricants was good enough for reliability last year.

[jon-mullen]

So the Sauber team will run Ferrari engines. IIRC Brawn had to get Mallya's permission to be the second Merc customer team. Would Sauber have had to get STR's permission to be the second Ferrari customer team? There's no mention of it in the ITV article.

And wouldn't you think maybe STR would want to withhold their blessing as the RBRs are underpowered?

[SZ]

So the Sauber team will run Ferrari engines.

There's going to be some fairly pissed off new teams who's only option was a four-year-old Cosworth design... rightly so too.

[ISLAMATRON]

It may be the same block as the 2006 V-8(as are all the current engines), but it will probably be more updated than any of the current engines that have been "frozen" for the last couple years.

optimized for 18K rpm, and fuel efficiency they should do very well against the field.

Plus they have alot of experience in longer life engines(champ car) so their engines may not lose as much power as they rack up the milage.

[ESPImperium]

One advantage that the Sauber guys will have is that they will have knowlege of the Ferarri style installation as they ran Ferarri engines as Petronas engines before BMW took over.

I have a feeling that Sauber will be using the year old engines that STR used this year, making their installation a 2 year old power train i think, as STR will be running the Ferarri 056s that Ferarri are using this year. STR last year were used as a development bed by Ferarri for their engines they year, hence why they had simmilar performance to the Ferarri towards the end of 08 and better performance than the Red Bull last year.

I think they have chosen rightly with their engine. Could be that the engine breakdown is as follows for 2010; Mercedes - 3 (Brawn, Force India & McLaren), Ferarri - 3 (Ferarri, STR & Sauber), Renault - 3 (Renault, Red Bull & Williams) Toyota - 1 (Toyota), Cosworth - 4 (Manor, Campos, Lotus & USF1)

Although i feel that one team will not make it for 2010, i think it could be a team like Campos or even Toyota, as those are my 2 faverouite teams for not making the 2010 grid, altho somthing says to me that it could be Campos if reports are to be belived.