BMW and F1 rumors

[WhiteBlue]

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/bmw-and-f1/?
I hope more than just a rumor.

[xpensive]

..."a key player at Allianz...."

So that was were Williams' money came from, an insurance company, no wonder he wants to see the hospitality-suits again.

[MOWOG]

Put me down as "I don't care". Why? Because there is no car for a BMW lump to slide into that is not already a back marker.

If Formula One had 11 teams that were competitive, that would be something. But as long as there are only 3 or 4 teams capable of racing at the sharp end of the field? Mehhhh......

In the How Would You Change Formula One thread, one smart person proposed paying the majority of F1 revenues to each team equally, so that all of them could have a decent chance at being competitive. The balance would be paid out according to points scored, as at present. And Ferrari would lose its special allotment they extorted from Bernie some years ago. I like that proposal. I like it a lot. =D>

But until that happens, the prospect of BMW, or Mazda, or Kia or LandWind crawling into bed with Caterham or Marussia or Williams or Sauber or Toro Rosso or Farce India excites me not at all. :-"

[GitanesBlondes]

..."a key player at Allianz...."

So that was were Williams' money came from, an insurance company, no wonder he wants to see the hospitality-suits again.

Sir Frank and Patrick Head are no doubt having wet dreams again.

[GitanesBlondes]

But honestly, who cares about BMW. The auto manufacturers cannot be relied upon for the long-term as their boards change opinions depending on which way the wind is blowing on any given day.

I'm sure Joe Sewer and the rest of the pseudo-journalists would love it for the privileges they would get to enjoy for writing very little critical pieces on F1 ever.

[gary123]

Jens Marquardt denies the return of the BMW in F1, He said that they are happy in DTM.

[SectorOne]

Because there is no car for a BMW lump to slide into that is not already a back marker.

I get that there´s no spots but one should not underestimate BMW as an engine builder, they are highly regarded in that area.

[SectorOne]

Because there is no car for a BMW lump to slide into that is not already a back marker.

I get that there´s no spots but one should not underestimate BMW as an engine builder, they are highly regarded in that area.

But honestly, who cares about BMW. The auto manufacturers cannot be relied upon for the long-term as their boards change opinions depending on which way the wind is blowing on any given day.

And teams like HRT, Caterham, Marussia don´t? Just look at the amount of privateer teams that have come and gone in F1.
Only in their case they usually enter the sport even though they really can´t afford it.
Just scraping by every year. And who comes last this year will certainly be an interesting thing to follow.

[MOWOG]

one should not underestimate BMW as an engine builder, they are highly regarded in that area.

I quite agree and did not mean to suggest otherwise. My question is WHY would BMW want to rejoin the circus if the wonderfulness of their engine is going to be masked by being installed in a pig of a car? What is the possible business case for spending all that money if their product is not going to be given a chance to shine?

If you told me that BMW was going to be the engine supplier for Red Bull, I would be atwitter with excitement and anticipation. If you told me that BMW was going to be the engine supplier for Marussia, well......why, exactly, should I care?

[zeph]

I'm thinking RedBull here. I agree that the prospect of slotting engines in a Williams chassis is insufficient motivation for a brand like BMW to consider F1 again. Been there, done that.

Only an exclusive partnership with a top-tier team would make sense. McLaren is tied up with Honda, Ferrari and Mercedes grow their own, Lotus is not enough of a sure shot, even if their season is better than McLaren's.

[aussiegman]

A RBR / BMW tie up would be Dietrich's ultimate dream, but I'd love to see BMW back in F1. However I doubt it will happen as previously mentioned, they seem happy in DTM.

Porsche is in LMP, Audi DTM and prototypes. Who else is there???

There have been various rumblings the Renault is thinking that exiting stage left might be an option. If that happens, short of Audi getting into F1, BMW would be a good match and something I'd love to see.

The only way another top tier manufacturer would enter F1 IMHO, is if one leaves. In 2013 you have Merc, Renault, Ferrari & Cosworth (well sort of) and Honda in 2015.

Renault are stretching over too many teams and really would rather supply fewer.

[SectorOne]

I quite agree and did not mean to suggest otherwise. My question is WHY would BMW want to rejoin the circus if the wonderfulness of their engine is going to be masked by being installed in a pig of a car? What is the possible business case for spending all that money if their product is not going to be given a chance to shine?

If you told me that BMW was going to be the engine supplier for Red Bull, I would be atwitter with excitement and anticipation. If you told me that BMW was going to be the engine supplier for Marussia, well......why, exactly, should I care?

Well they had Williams not so long ago and actually in many ways gave them an engine that was for 1-2 years frankly superior.
I´m not sure if BMW chose to have an exclusive contract but if they come in i think their engines will be very attractive for many teams even though they right now have a contract with other teams.
Especially Renault/Ferrari teams i think.

If Lotus starts beating Red Bull next year RBR might cut their contract and go with BMW or something along those lines.
Sauber has very strong ties with BMW for example, they are very inconsistent but usually they produce semi-good cars that gets a lot of exposure. Like last year.

[FoxHound]

A RBR / BMW tie up would be Dietrich's ultimate dream, but I'd love to see BMW back in F1. However I doubt it will happen as previously mentioned, they seem happy in DTM.

The problem with DTM is that it's about as spec a series that you can get. Engine power and torque is limited (450kw...no torque figures tho), and the aero is mandated to be uniform.
Gearboxes are near enough spec and they all have to use the same type of fuel.
Basically whoever nails set up will be victorious. Allied to that, the DTM crowds seem to be about as knowledgeable as you get in big series racing.

Fans of the 3 camps(Audi Beemer and Merc) will remain entrenched in their respective corners.

F1 is a different story. BMW still have more than a passing interest in F1, and will be looking at what Mercedes have accomplished this year with some envy, bearing in mind also where Mercedes suffered a mediocre 3 years spell upon entry.
I rate it as 50/50, but if they do come back they will want some form of control. RBR will not be so forthcoming in that respect...Sauber however, look a decent bet.