標題: BMW will quit Formula 1 at the end of this season. [打印本頁] 作者: Derek128 時間: 2009-7-29 01:08 標題: BMW will quit Formula 1 at the end of this season.
本帖最後由 Derek128 於 2009-7-29 02:10 編輯
The German car manufacturer supply engines to Sauber but have cited "current developments in motor sport" as the reason for their pull-out.
BMW are the second major manufacturer to leave the sport in eight months after Honda's withdrawal in December.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said BMW had given themselves three years to win the world championship, but they have only amassed eight points this season.
"It's not quite been like that so perhaps that's why they've [decided] to stop," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"When you consider how much money they've spent and the results they've got, it's probably not such a good investment.
"They were quite sure that they were going to win the championship within three years, and I was hoping they would."
BMW, who currently have Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld as their drivers, held a meeting on Tuesday where they made the decision to quit the sport.
They will instead devote resources to the 'development of new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability'.
"Of course, this was a difficult decision for us, but it's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment," said Dr Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW.
"Premium will be increasingly defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead.
"We are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability.
"Our Formula One campaign is thus less a key promoter for us."
BMW's takeover of Sauber in 2005 saw them enter their own team in 2006 and in their debut season they were fifth in the constructors' championship before being promoted to second in 2007 after the exclusion of McLaren-Mercedes.
They put up a strong challenge in 2008 but ended up third behind Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes.
Their only grand prix win as BMW Sauber came when Polish driver Kubica won in Canada in 2008, while he also achieved the team's only pole position with his qualifying effort in Bahrain in 2008.
BMW motorsport director Dr. Mario Theissen added: "Of course, we, the employees in Hinwil and Munich, would all have liked to continue this ambitious campaign and show that this season was just a hiccup following three successful years.
"But I can understand why this decision was made from a corporate perspective. We will now focus sharply on the remaining races and demonstrate our fighting spirit and put in a good result as we bid farewell to Formula One racing."
BMW first entered Formula 1 as an engine supplier to Brabham in 1982 and the first victory of the pairing came in 1983 when Nelson Piquet won in Brazil on the way to claiming the drivers' crown.
But BMW pulled out as an engine supplier in 1987 before returning in 2000 as engine partners to Williams.
The duo were together for six years and ended up as constructors' championship runners-up in 2002 and 2003, while winning 10 grands prix and taking 17 pole positions.
Support RK, get a drive soon !作者: shutterbug 時間: 2009-7-29 07:27
That's too bad....作者: BiscottiGelato 時間: 2009-7-29 07:29
Three years to win the championship.... they are just being stupid.... utterly disappointed.
I mean, look at it, this year everyone was surprised with Brawn and co. cheating their way (double deck diffuser, etc) to win the first couple of races and no where to be found when their exploit/legal gap is no longer is unique. What did Ferrari and McLarent and Renault do? Develop, work hard, and McLaren Ferarri KERS OneTwo was the result. What did BMW do? They gave up KERS because they can't extract benefits from it in the first half of the season, and they gave up F1 just because they can't win in the first 3 seasons. Quitters and whiners...
So disappointed in BMW. M SUVs, heavy ass poser Z4 and no M Z4. Now quitting F1... What's next?作者: Catpiano 時間: 2009-7-29 07:58
Good move .. so they can spend money elsewhere ...作者: orange 時間: 2009-7-30 20:23
BMW Sauber was amazingly on a continuously growth trend until this year. They've been such a technical team rather than a team portraying racing spirit! Sad to see a big name leave still. Seems like they can't justify staying through the rumored 2014 concorde agreement.
Word's that Renault may be next .. something's in the works to make the team Flavio's
