BMW buy out Sauber.

[Cplus]

Munich, 22nd June 2005. BMW is striking out on a new path in Formula One. After acquiring a majority shareholding in the Swiss Sauber team, a BMW managed team will be contesting the Formula One World Championship as early as 2006. This wasdecided by the BMW Board of Management on Tuesday. It means that, for the first time in company history, BMW will be competing independently in Formula One.

Done deal it seems. Be interesting what Williams do. Do they speak to Cosworth and have them comitted to Williams? or do they become a 2nd Tier Engine supplyee.....

Hmmm.

[Nafe]

I wonder if Peter Sauber got his way and keeping the team in Switzerland?

Interesting decision. To go from a team capable of podiums and maybe a race win in 2005, to a team who hasn't had a podium since when exactly?

I hope Nick enjoyed his podiums with Williams, they are likely to be the only ones he ever achieves in Formula 1.

[athlon]

I heard the backend of something about williams and engines for the furure a while ago.

So Williams won't be using BMW next year?

I think the f1 program (BMW) has healped the credibility of the road cars engine prowess more then they could imagine.

Hell look at Honda, they make some of the most boring cars on the planet, Yet the F1 legacy from years ago still has an impact on sales.

[Nucci]

Looks like Peter Sauber might be on his way out..

Well, this isnt the first time this has happened to Williams, I wonder who they are gonna chase up for a motor, or perhaps they will stick with BMW engines for 2006.

[John]

There is no way they'd move the tunnel from Hinwil in Switzerland and all the established facilities they have there.

BMW motorsport in Munich will no doubt just add resources at their own facilities in Munich, but HQ will stay in Switzerland.

Plus staying in Switzerland would have quite lucrative tax advantages.

Williams will go with Cosworth, I'm betting. No way would Honda or Toyota or Renault risk been beaten by a customer team and it could well happen with a team like Williams.

And this mighten be such a bad thing. No company has more experience with V8's than Cosworth.

John

[Spammy]

I think the f1 program (BMW) has healped the credibility of the road cars engine prowess more then they could imagine.

Hell look at Honda, they make some of the most boring cars on the planet, Yet the F1 legacy from years ago still has an impact on sales.


I'm 100% sure most people who buy a Jazz or Oddessy do so because of the F1 connection, in fact they are the same people who choose not to buy a ferrari because Shuey has not had many podium finishes this year. :)

[2ofdem]

Williams will go with Cosworth, I'm betting. No way would Honda or Toyota or Renault risk been beaten by a customer team and it could well happen with a team like Williams.

And this mighten be such a bad thing. No company has more experience with V8's than Cosworth.

John

I suspect this will be the case also and as you said I dont think it will be a bad thing.

[Cplus]

apparently there is an option to still use V10's next year - but with restricted Rev limits.

Reports are around that BMW might be doing this and not going the V8 route....

Hmmm.

[2ofdem]

Seen an interview with the BMW team today apperently they are willing to supply them engines not sure how much of this is BS but that was what they said. After whats happened this year would they want the engines?

[Tripper]

the V8 cossy is ment to be one hell of a motor, willams would be stupid not to take it

[Cplus]

where did you hear that about the Cossie tripper?

I was speaking to a Race Engineer for Cosworth on the weekend and he said it's only in really early stages of development at the moment as they are unsure if there will even be a use for them next year!