Sections: Motorsport, Rumor Nov 28th, 2009 4 Comments 
OmniAuto.it is reporting via Autoblog that BMW will be feathering racing expenses even more next year. With BMW exiting Formula 1 and (finally) selling off their team to Peter Sauber it was assumed that there would be additional funds to invest in both Efficient Dynamics and the remainder of the racing programs.
Autoblog says, BMW is going to cut its entries in the WTCC down to a single two car team- Team Schnitzer from Germany. The team will gain WTCC stalwart Andy Prilaux from the former UK team to improve its drivers. Though this looks like a cost cutting maneuver it could also be an attempt to get all of the top drivers on one team to knock SEAT from the top-spot while not having the other drivers lose face.
We also have been hearing from sources that the ALMS team and drivers will remain in tact for 2010. There are also rumors of additional races to be completed outside the US with Schnitzer competing in the Le Mans Series in Europe with a BMW ///M3 GT2 similar to those used in ALMS but we have not been able to confirm this rumor.
We do not think that BMW will be making any further cuts to its racing programs but this begs the questions: What would BMW be without racing? and, How many teams do they need to furnish to fulfill that requirement?
Tough decision no doubt. To me getting as much talent onto the single team though does make sense.
BMW without a strong racing presence to me would be a very sad day. Despite the ever increasing size and weight of BMW vehicles and the huge concentration on SUV’s I have kept some measure of respect for the choices by BMW though their racing programs. I think the single two car team in WTCC should actually be a good move.
ReplyThe spain italy team in wtcc are no good anyway. alex zanardi dose his best with no legs and his team mate is always back with the independents. Bmw should of won the wtcc, FURUS throw it away when he took himself and prilaux off when they where 1st and 2nd in Bruno. i felt sick i knew it was all over, we only lost the manufacturers championship by 3 points to those TURBO diesel seats.
ReplyAlthough I was dissappointed that BMW left F1, it is my belief that they will focus more on sports car racing in the future. After following the ALMS M3’s closely this year, I have to say I am very excited with the progress and am hoping they have their sights set on another factory Le Mans effort. Factory racing today is more about technology development than driving sales numbers anymore. No one is going to buy a new BMW on Monday because they finished on the podium on Sunday. With limited success in their entire F1 history, I really wasn’t the least bit surprised to see BMW pull out. Aside from the early 80’s championship and only brief flashes of promise otherwise, BMW’s F1 effort never seemed like it would get to the same level as Ferrari and McLaren. I’d rather see BMW race sports cars or prototypes, especially since the rules in F1 have become so ridiculous that F1 is being ruined from the inside out. Maybe BMW will consider racing prototypes again. It’s 1/4 the cost of F1 and still uses the same level of technology and development resources for production purposes. Another couple years like this and F1 may be history all together anyways. Unless they go back to the “run what you brung” philosophy they might as well call it Indycar International. Let’s face it, in every sport at every level there are dominant teams. There always has been and there always will be. If the FIA thinks that by using standarized ECU’s, common engines, unclear rules, and strict aero regulations they are going to kill F1. F1 used to be about building the fastest car you could and going racing. That’s what made it great.
ReplyI do believe that racing improves the breed, and while I can understand the F1 pullout, cannot fathom why they would pull additional support from their racing efforts in production-based series. Why don’t they move toward a Porsche-like model where they have a team & facility dedicated to constructing race cars from current production cars as Porsche does with the 911, currently available in 3 different variants straight from Porsche?
While it may result in healthy profit margins, BMW’s current focus on SUVs and ultra heavy luxury-focused tourers seems to be anti-sports car. “Efficient Dynamics” and “Ultimate Driver’s Car” seems to be nothing more than false marketing slogans right now. How is a 6000 lb. twin-turbo V8 “M” SUV in any way efficient? So from this perspective, pulling out of racing makes perfect sense.
BMW, please bring back a real driving focused sports car in the tradition E30 M3 or Z4 M Coupe…and then go race it!
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