Monday 16th May 2005

BMW to pull out of F1?

Chances are high says Beemer boss

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BMW's success with this doesn't stretch to paying for an F1 adventure

The chances of BMW's pulling out of F1 appear to be high, according to an interview of a high-placed source inside BMW in the German newspaper Der Spiegel. Apparently there simply isn't the return for the €200 million investment.

BMW-Williams, the team Jenson Button wants to join, has not done as well recently as it's accustomed to.

In 1996, it topped the constructor's table with 175 points against its nearest rival Ferrari's 70 and a year later had less of a lead over the red team with 123 versus 102.

Williams' best result since its tie-up with BMW was in 2002, when it finished second to Ferrari, 92 points playing 221. And after just four GP races this year, the team currently lies fourth, behind Renault, Toyota and McLaren-Mercedes.

"When we're always falling behind, the money is a poor investment", said BMW chief Manfred Schoch.

Yet only last week, Dr. Helmut Panke, BMW's chairman of the board stood up and hailed the company's 2005 financial year a huge success, with "new records in retail, revenues and earnings", and retail sales up 9.4 per cent -- an astonishing achievement in a flat economic year.

[hendry]

Hmm, scare tactics? Perhaps they felt that threatening to buy Sauber and drop Williams right in it was not a big enough kick up the jacksy.

From what I have read Williams are already looking around for an alternative engine supplier anyway. Honda are looking good, as are Cosworth.

[cdp]

BMW are spending a lot of cash and don't want to follow MB home every race.

With all companies the bottom line is of crucial importance and if they aren't getting their money's worth why continue? Ford didn't.

[philbob]

Why not save the 250m u need to win in f1 and build a decent supercar. Would be nice to see an M1 with abit more guts. They don't seem to do anything special, apart from making engines for other supercars. Even there Mercedes is stealing the show. Who powers the McLaren SLR? Zonda! Mercedes V8. They're choice.

If they add to the specials market, limited run cars, that would be nice.

[mindgam3]

Doubt it, there was strong rumours the other week of BMW buying Sauber to make their own brand team and leaving Williams....

www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=32774

Only time will tell i guess

[robsinfield]

BMW are apparently, pretty happy with their F1 involvement despite Williams continued lack of success. I would not be at all surprised if they did supply Sauber next year and start the process of building them up into a full works team (that wind tunnel makes them a good option) and I'm sure Frank will already be sniffing around Honda and Cosworth for replacement motors..

Rob

[Hansgerd]

There may be some truth in it. There was an article in the german news magazine Spiegel and they also mentioned it on the german news channel N-TV. The article seems to reflect the view of the upper management and the main investors (Quant), not that of Mr. Theissen.