auf wiedersehen BMW!

[JohnHKart]

Shocked!

http://www.autosport.com/

[Sean Malone]

I kinda had a feeling.

[oddlycalm]

Yeah, I can't imagine anything other than pulling out would be important enough to have the big dogs there. If BMW pulls out and Renault procedes with the sale of their team things could look much different in 2010.

oc

[opinionated ow]

I don't reckon it will happen. But I don't expect more than 20 cars next season...probably 18

[stroker]

I'm surprised we're not hearing something similar from Toyota.

[pchall]

I'm surprised we're not hearing something similar from Toyota.

First they'll need to know where Honda is planning to actual seriously race next year. And it might be nice for the factory team to actually win a GP and make something out of all the ¥en spent in Cologne.

[stroker]

First they'll need to know where Honda is planning to actual seriously race next year. And it might be nice for the factory team to actually win a GP and make something out of all the ¥en spent in Cologne.

Do Honda and Toyota actually go head to head anywhere NOW? I'm not seeing where Toyota gets the flexibility to bail on F1 to go chasing Honda...?

[emjaya]

Do Honda and Toyota actually go head to head anywhere NOW? I'm not seeing where Toyota gets the flexibility to bail on F1 to go chasing Honda...?

Formula Nippon (http://www.f-nippon.co.jp/fn/en/outline/outline03.shtml)

[Sean Malone]

BMW had given themselves three years to win the world championship and won their first race in 2008 but have amassed only eight points this season. Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8173865.stm)

Awww. Bye.

[oddlycalm]

Great, so Sauber's 500 employees in Hinwil, where they have zero possibility of finding any other employment, are now screwed because BMW embarrassed itself...? :irked:

Looks like FOTA is trying to come up with some arrangement similar to what Brawn did after Honda, but in the end Brawn had to lay off some 270 people (so far). :(

oc

[emjaya]

Following their decision to withdraw from Formula 1, BMW will now focus on the touring car series, Formula BMW and the American Le Mans series.

:confused: They have a couple of GT cars, right?

[cameraman]

:confused: They have a couple of GT cars, right?

Bobby Rahal's team

[Winston Wolfe]

Yuppers... Rahal's got a Bimmer team in ALMS - saw 'em at LBGP.
Looks like Rahal selected some of the pit crew as well :thumbup:
A whole lot better looking that Danicles... and prolly drive just as good too.

[pchall]

If memory serves, Sauber had Petronas sponsorship before the BMW deal. I wonder if that will continue and Sauber gets in line for Cosworths?

[stroker]

If memory serves, Sauber had Petronas sponsorship before the BMW deal. I wonder if that will continue and Sauber gets in line for Cosworths?

I would think they'd want Mercedes based on the nationality issue and Brawn's success. To say nothing of Mercedes giggling with glee taking over for BMW...

[STD]

Mercedes has already stated it would like to have four teams powered by their engines and a history with Sauber in endurance and F1...

Theissen (yep, read between the lines) and Peter will find a way to continue.

http://www.bigbmw.com/mercedes/Mercedes-Benz-c11.jpg

[pchall]

"FOTA teams have immediately consulted each other and are ready to assure all the necessary support to the Swiss-based team, whose membership in the association is confirmed, to continue its involvement in F1," [Simone] Perillo [of FOTA] said.


link (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=auto&id=4365058)

Well, looks like FOTA doesn't want to lose an established team and will be of some assistance. The M-B connection does make a lot of sense. I was thinking of Cosworth for Sauber more for getting a Cossie into a developed chassis with an experienced team instead of with just three start up programs.

[SurfaceUnits]

BMW-Sauber Bids For 2010 Team Entry
Written by: SPEED Staff / GMM
08/19/2009

The Swiss based team currently known as BMW-Sauber has lodged an application for the thirteenth and final spot on the 2010 grid.

Even though the outfit is currently an active competitor, initial attempts to secure the team's future failed following news that majority owner BMW is pulling out at the end of the season.

Peter Sauber's failed takeover meant the Hinwil based team could not meet the deadline to sign up for the new Concorde Agreement.

As a result, the FIA re-opened the selection process so that new teams, such as Epsilon Euskadi and Prodrive, may apply to fill BMW-Sauber's spot in next year's world championship.

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-bmw-sauber-bids-for-2010-team-entry/

[SurfaceUnits]

Theissen: Team has offers to consider

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, August 20th 2009, 18:32 GMT

Mario TheissenBMW Sauber has several offers on the table from parties interested in saving the Formula 1 outfit, with evaluation of those bids due to analysed by team chiefs over the next few days.

The Hinwil-based team has taken its first step in trying to secure its future by officially re-entering next year's world championship before last Monday's deadline, even though details of a rescue package have not been finalised.

Although an offer from shareholder Peter Sauber to take over the outfit was recently rejected by BMW, the former F1 team principal is now working with BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen to try to secure the outfit's future.

Theissen said he was optimistic that a solution could be found, even though he acknowledged it would not be straightforward to come to a settlement.

"It's not easy but there are opportunities," he said in Valencia. "There are interested investors, apparently a wide spectrum from just an interested question up to a structured concept with a profound business plan. And we are currently evaluating these."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77804


Q & A with Mario Theissen
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77806