BMW returning to F1?

[govind112]

How likely is it for bmw to return to f1, with all the new turbo engines coming up and KERS being even more crucial isnt this a good time to return because they were in it to help them aid their road cars?

[ESPImperium]

They will return, but not in 2013. Id recon sometime into the new turbo era, maybes in the 2015-2017 year band and only if there is a common synergy in engine technology between their M3 GT2 program and their new LMP program that is next on their list.

In short, only once the GRE comes into effect for the above 3 projects.

However, as a negitive, BMW would only want to supply a single team, as it is the engines in 2013 are all to be a supply of a minimum and maximum of 2 teams. 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 and thats the current 4 (providing the same teams power trains in 2013 as they currently supply) as other manufacturers are looking at a entry in 2014 to when they will probably have more money to spend on a F1 project.

[alelanza]

Nah, they already took all their F1 budget and decided it was better invested in hollywood movie cameos

[xpensive]

Nah, they already took all their F1 budget and decided it was better invested in hollywood movie cameos

And they were right. It seems to me that the manufacturers are rather looking for a way out than in from MrE's circus.

[govind112]

I heard rumours of them supplying mclaren engines or mclaren buying their engine department

[xpensive]

McLaren-BMW would of course have a brand image to match Ferrari or more, but I doubt it.

I think it would take a lot to convince the Munich board of the wisdom of another try.

[marcush.]

BMW has really created a mess with their sudden departure and sell of the Sauber assets-panicking after Toyota and Hondas departure..
None of them would do the same again and rues the decisions taken all too short sighted...burning monstrous amounts of money when they were participating and burning even more rediculous amounts to get rid of it...BMWs F1 engine department..does this really exist as a sellable asset? I was under the impression that BMW had all very well integrated into their R+D always and if there was F1 specifics than it was Human recources who surely have found new occupation elsewere long ago.

[Fil]

They messed up with Williams, and then again with Sauber.

They've learnt their lessons; they belong in tin-tops & that's where they'll remain.

[marcush.]

BMW has a strong record with Brabham in F1 and really ruled in the turbo times...I would not rule out them coming back as an engine supplier .

[xpensive]

If the four-banger turbo concept sticks for 2013, a McLaren-BMW combo would be a match made in heaven fo any PR person with sense for his/hers selfxistance, but too much of a wet dream even for me, almost like a Williams-Renault.

[govind112]

yes a 4cl turbo would be ideal for them as they are turing their "M-car" inot turbo recently with the m5 this also houses their section were the f1 engines are built so selling their f1 department or would be out of the question as they would be selling their motor-sport section

[wesley123]

They messed up with Williams, and then again with Sauber.

They've learnt their lessons; they belong in tin-tops & that's where they'll remain.

Nah they did not. They thought they could spend unlimited resources and build facilities in any way they can, and they did pretty well.

With Williams was jist because of the complete Ferrari dominations in these days, and the Sauber adventure wasnt wrong either, they just screwed up KERS and the whole 2009 car and decided to leave the F1 now they can without too much negative publicity around them due to the loss of Toyota and Honda a bit earlier all having the same rubbish reasons

[govind112]

They messed up with Williams, and then again with Sauber.

They've learnt their lessons; they belong in tin-tops & that's where they'll remain.

Nah they did not. They thought they could spend unlimited resources and build facilities in any way they can, and they did pretty well.

With Williams was jist because of the complete Ferrari dominations in these days, and the Sauber adventure wasnt wrong either, they just screwed up KERS and the whole 2009 car and decided to leave the F1 now they can without too much negative publicity around them due to the loss of Toyota and Honda a bit earlier all having the same rubbish reasons

And bmw did the most very powerful engines, it was williams who couldnt create a good a chassis

[Pandamasque]

...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.

[alelanza]

Nah, they already took all their F1 budget and decided it was better invested in hollywood movie cameos

And they were right. It seems to me that the manufacturers are rather looking for a way out than in from MrE's circus.

I guess it depends on what you think being 'right' is. This is a large manufacturer whose image is associated with performance, yet spent 4 mediocre years investing lots of money with only one win to account for it, and an inherited win at that (thanks Lewis!). So you could say they would have been right had they chosen to grab that budget and use it to buy comfy chairs for their staff, plus a few donuts