BMW to Cut More Racing Teams?

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.

Although 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.