BMW have an outstanding pedigree in nearly every form of motor sports. The automaker has dominated whatever race series it has set its sights on, including Formula 1. Now, with nearly 40 years of racing success behind it, the German company has returned to F1. Will this third visit be its most successful yet?
Instant Success with Brabham
In the early eighties, turbo engines were the weapon of choice for F1 teams. While manufacturers like Renault and Ferrari could build their own turbos, smaller teams, who normally purchased customer Ford engines, were left scrambling for ideas.
The Brabham team, then owned by Bernie Ecclestone, saw salvation in BMW who were interested in building a turbo-charged engine. A deal was struck and BMW began work on a 4 cylinder turbo in 1980.
BMW nearly cancelled the partnership when Brabham showed reluctance to race the engine. The team continued using the outdated but reliable Ford DFV while endlessly developing the BMW powerplant. Finally in 1982, the Brabham BMW raced in F1, winning a grand prix before the end of the year.
Consistent scoring and a critical win in the final race of the 1983 season netted BMW the distinction of having built the first world championship winning turbo engine. BMW engines would win a total of 8 races before a ban on turbo-charging prompted the company to withdraw from F1.
A Return with Williams
BMW returned to F1 in 2000 with frontrunners Williams. Once more the German company was supplying engines to an established team.
The partnership seemed destined for success but unfortunately it coincided with a resurgent and unstoppable Ferrari team. BMW felt that they had built the best engine in F1 and were frustrated at the lack of results. Behind the scenes there was tension between BMW and Williams management over the direction of the team. It was clear that BMW were not willing to accept losing.
Despite their differences the two parties nearly won the championship in 2003, challenging Ferrari until the end of the season. It would be the high water mark and despite 10 wins and 17 pole positions, the partnership dissolved on less than friendly terms at the end 2005.
Going it alone
The Williams partnership gave BMW the opportunity to reacquaint itself with F1 and learn the inner workings of a top team. It also convinced BMW that it needed to stay involved in Formula 1.
At the beginning of 2006 it was announced that BMW had purchased the Sauber F1 team from Swiss businessman, Peter Sauber. Sauber had just completed a state of the art wind tunnel and factory in Hinwil, Switzerland. With the sale completed, BMW now firmly committed itself to achieving success in grand prix racing.
After only 40 races, the team reached its first milestone: winning a grand prix. At the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix BMW driver Robert Kubica took the checkered flag ahead of his teammate Nick Heidfeld. It was a perfect 1-2 finish for the German squad.
With a win under their belts, a factory with cutting edge design capabilities and a history of success in racing, BMW are poised to take their place in the top tier of Formula 1. Rivals McLaren and Ferrari are undoubtedly paying close attention to this new and formidable threat.
References
Lovell, Terry. Bernie's Game, London, Metro Publishing, 2003
Formula One Management. Official 2002 Formula 1 Annual, London, Formula 1 Publishing, 2003
Smith, Bruce. Virgin Formula 1 Record File, London, Virgin Publshing Ltd, 2000
