BMW returning to F1?

[xpensive]

...But at the moment that rule is looking shakey asthere is only likley to be 4 engine suppliers in 2013 for the start of the new engine formula...

I'd say 4 is optimistic. Cosworth doesn't have enough client teams to justify the development of the brand new engine.

While I wouldn'take three to the bank either, Mercedes and Renault perhaps, but Ferrari I'm not so sure. Montezuma is seriously pissed off with this rubbish and Tony George would change the IRL rules in a heartbeat for the opportunity.

Cosworths client list is not stable enough for them to make the serious investment either. VW? With Piech you never know.

[marcush.]

Toyota has curiously not closed the German site and are back into engine supply LMP ..
starnger things have happened.The Site is a dream and up to date(due to the Pirelli programme and F1 customers using the site) ..toyata is very well positioned to do engines and complete cars...

[wunderkind]

BMW should not be allowed to return to F1 in the near future. Simple as that.

They have no commitment to the sport.

[xpensive]

What you have to ask yourself marcush, who loves the four-pot turbos anyway (xcept from WB of course)?

- MrE obviously don't
- Montezuma hates it.
- Mercedes is definately reluctant to give up the position they have.
- Chassis builders don't like the lack of lateral stiffness.
- Cosworth is no way near to have the money for the investment.

Which leaves Renault, which is French but Todt is a Peugeot man so that liasion will hardly stick.

I have a strange feeling that this formula was tailored by MrM to suit VW, but Piech has now changed his mind. Again.

Finally, the only way to lure BMW back would be with a winning team, which limits the prospect to RBR and McLaren.

[bot6]

I don't think they're coming back anytime soon. The way they left hurt their image both in and outside the paddock, and I don't think they will take the risk. There are other racing series that give exposure for less risk and less money, and from which you can pull out much more easily. GP2 and touring cars for instance, or the WRC with Mini.

Also, BMW's big goal at the moment is to tackle the US and Chinese markets and for those, F1 exposure is useless. Coming in the new Indy series as an engine supplier would make much more sense.

[xpensive]

Imagine both Ferrari and BMW appoaching IRL for a rule change, with Mercedes looking, Tony George would wet his pants.

Seriously

[bot6]

Yes, but it's not gonna happen. As much as I wish it would, as that 4-pot seems just heretic to me. Why not a 6-pot with less turbo compression allowed? Much sexier, reminiscent of the great turbo era, and it would probably use less fuel than a mini engine with an ultra-massive turbo. And be safer thanks to less turbo lag.

[xpensive]

I wouldn't completely rule it out, remember Ferrari building a complete CART car in the late 80s when they were threatened not to be allowed to use a V12 in F1? Mercedes financing a 4.3 liter push-rod engine just for one race?

Indianapolis has a marketing lure in the US which is difficult for most Europeans to fathom, but with Ferrari, BMW and perhaps also Mercedes on the grid, holy cow.

And Tony George would probably s**t through his pants at the prospect.

[marcush.]

BMW should find the I4 efficient dynamics thing perfectly suiting their current fanfare..
Toyota have a pedigree with these in Rallying and don´t they have one of the Turbo gurus of the I4 time still on the payroll?

Indy...You make me think ..but wasn´t the chinese asian market the next Clondyke?

[xpensive]

Indeed marcush, but someone said that Asia needs some kind of heritage, like Lotus or Caterham (giggles), and Indianapolis has that to throw away. Imagine Ferrari winning at Indianapolis, the marketing kickback can hardly be estimated.

[bot6]

What would be even funnier is Ferrari winning the Indianapolis NASCAR event. Or even better: the Truck series... With the F150.

You do remember that Indy is a one-design event now, right?

[alelanza]

And Tony George would probably s**t through his pants at the prospect.

Off topic, but since you've mentioned his name so many times, i feel the need to remind you Tony stepped down as CEO 2 years ago, and only recently was he brought back as just another board member. In the interim he's been just another team owner.

[dren]

Honda may have a go at F1 along with BMW on the supply side again if/when turbos return.

[xpensive]

And Tony George would probably s**t through his pants at the prospect.

Off topic, but since you've mentioned his name so many times, i feel the need to remind you Tony stepped down as CEO 2 years ago, and only recently was he brought back as just another board member. In the interim he's been just another team owner.

Perhaps so, but he would still --- through his pants at the prospect of a couple of Ferraris and BMWs at the bricklyard.

[bot6]

Not like it was a huge success when they actually WERE at the Brickyard...