Renault Guarantees Pole in 2010 - Signs Robert Kubica as Alonso's Replacement

While it appears that the 2009 Silly Season in Formula 1 started in March this year, the number of confirmed drivers for 2010 just increased by one with the Renault F1 Team's signing of Robert Kubica. Based on the press releases that have been circling it appears as though Robert Kubica's contract with Renault in for one year only, not surprising in a sport where the remaining manufacturer-based teams keep a clear path to the exit just in case the share-holders get nervous about the F1 budget.

The move to Renault is actually a return for Robert who started his F1 career with a Renault test session before being snapped up by BMW-Sauber. Hopefully Robert finds the 2010 Renault more to his liking than the 2009 BMW-Sauber, which combined with some of his ambitious passing maneuvers has netted him only 9 points so far this year.

Best of luck Robert, anyone that can take the kind of hit that he did in Montreal in 2007 and return to racing cars is one of the few bright spots in Formula 1 today.

the essence of Ranting - "BMW, The Ultimate SUV's"

Okay, to say that I'm more than a little bitter over BMW's recent decision to pull the plug on their Formula One effort, close-down Formula BMW America, and continue to build 6000 lbs sport utes with 500 + hp, that can only be driven con brio with the stability control on has taken me over the edge. What ever happened to the Ultimate Driving Machine. What ever happened to BMW poking fun at other companies for pulling this crap?

So as it stands today, here is my prediction, BMW will be out of ALMS by 2011 and likely out of motor racing by 2015.

There is a slight chance that they may end up in, (wait for it) NASCAR in 2012, but I think that they are concerned with Toyota's spend versus results. Maybe the X5 can run in the Craftsman Truck series.

Also Buick is walking away from its relationship with the PGA, and except for the dedicated club racers and HPDE participants, where do you see the majority of BMW today? At the track or parked at the clubhouse?

I hope I am reading this wrong, only time will tell. Agree?

BMW to Exit Formula One - Official BMW Video

The only word that captures the feeling around Bmw's departure from F1 is "Disappointment". There is disappointment that comes from BMW/Sauber giving up a shot at the championship in 2008 to get a head start on KERS (later abandoned) for the 2009 season. There is disappointment that comes from a one-two finish in Montreal, followed by a string of miscues and lack-luster results.

Unfortunately though the biggest disappoint in BMW/Sauber's announcement comes from the statement that the shift of dollars from racing will go to "sustainability" -- hypocrisy for a company that makes the X5M and the X6M. What part of sustainability do those cars fall into?

It's becoming more and more apparent that BMW has stopped paying lip service to the idea that they build performance cars and instead is just focusing on cars that are as profitable as possible. If you disagree, point to one car in BMW's current line-up that hasn't grown into a bloated luxo-barge over the years, with more horsepower and less driving enjoyment.

Farewell BMW/Sauber. Your departure is definitely disappointing.

(Via BMWwebTV)

It's Official - BMW to leave F1 at the end of 2009 Season

(via ESPN) MUNICH -- BMW is pulling out of Formula One at the end of this season, the second car maker to leave the series within a year.

The German company announced the decision at a news conference Wednesday, saying it wanted to use its significant F1 budget in other areas. It will remain involved in auto racing.

Since entering F1 as a team by taking over the Sauber team ahead of the 2006 season -- it had previously acted as an engine supplier -- BMW had posted just one race win, at last year's Canadian Grand Prix.

Touted as a championship contender for the 2009 season, BMW lagged well behind the pace of the leading teams.

"Of course, this was a difficult decision for us. But it's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment," BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer said at the news conference.

He said the Munich-based car maker would use the resources previously spent on the F1 team to advance "sustainability and environmental compatibility."

Klaus Draeger, the board member responsible for development, said the team was "unable to meet expectations in the current season."

BMW's withdrawal followed that of Japanese car maker Honda ahead of the 2009 season, illustrating the growing pressure upon car makers to cut costs amid a global economic downturn that had hit new car sales.

Their withdrawal also lent credence to efforts by the FIA to significantly reduce F1 costs in order to retain existing teams and attract new entrants.

FIA, motor racing's world governing body, said it hoped BMW was the last manufacturer to leave the series.

"The FIA regrets the announcement of BMW's intended withdrawal from Formula One, but is not surprised by it," it said in a statement.

"It has been clear for some time that motor sport cannot ignore the world economic crisis. Car manufacturers cannot be expected to continue to pour large sums of money into Formula One when their survival depends on redundancies, plant closures and the support of the taxpayer. This is why the FIA prepared regulations to reduce costs drastically."

BMW's decision to end its involvement on Formula One only came Tuesday and the company was still considering what to do with the staff involved with the team, Draeger said.

"Of course ... would all have liked to continue this ambitious campaign and show that this season was just a hiccup following three successful years," BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen said.

"But I can understand why this decision was made from a corporate perspective. We will now focus sharply on the remaining races and demonstrate our fighting spirit and put in a good result as we bid farewell to Formula One racing."

Mercedes, the other major German car maker involved in Formula One, said it regretted BMW's pullout, "but it will have no influence on our F1 engagement."

The decision by BMW comes at a time when auto makers worldwide are reporting lower sales amid the global economic slowdown. Consumers are reluctant to open their wallets for big-ticket items and companies are trimming costs.

Georg Stuerzer, an automotive analyst with UniCredit in Munich who follows BMW, told AP that he estimated that the company was spending approximately $280 million a year on its Formula One involvement.

Draeger said it was not yet clear if the decision would result in job losses in Munich and Hinwil, Switzerland. The operation counts some 700 workers.

"Since we only made this decision yesterday, we cannot provide any more precise information," he said. "We will develop and assess various scenarios and do our best to find a solution for the employees in Hinwil and the staff members involved in the Formula One project in Munich."

The withdrawal will prompt speculation about the future of drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld. Kubica will be in strong demand for next season and will likely remain involved in F1.

The future for Heidfeld is less certain, though his long stint in the sport could make him an attractive option for the new entrant teams next season, who will be looking for an experienced driver.

In its debut season in 2006, BMW Sauber wound up fifth in the constructors' championship. In 2007, the German-Swiss team came in second after McLaren-Mercedes' exclusion from the points standings.

In 2008, the team was in the hunt for the world championship until the end of the season, winding up third. Kubica had the only GP victory in Canada.

So far, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has taken one pole position (Kubica in Bahrain in 2008) and 16 podium finishes. It is eighth in the constructors' standings in the current season.

Formula One - BMW Sauber Monaco Race Review

So of Joey Hand's win at Lime Rock shows where BMW has been dominate this year I think that this video from BMW Sauber shows a much dfferent picture of where they are in the 2009 Formula One season.  Of note, the video 1/3rd. the length of the "Team on Tour Reviews" from the early part of the year, spends 40 seconds showing pictures of Monaco, and gives poor Nick Heidfeld 30 seconds to talk through the nightmare which is BMW's 2009 season.

Formula One - BMW Sauber Team Film 2009 - Goose's Death all over again

Imagine that you are Dr. Mario Thiesen.  

You are four races into the 2009 season, and you only have 4 more points than Force India, andthe even worse news is that Force India has no points.  You are lagging way behind in areo development and you are sending your KERS system to the dust-bin for at least the next two races. 

What's a modern team principal and head of BMW Motorsports to do? 

 Tell your marketing folks to crank up the video production and create video depicting a team at the top of it's game, complete with motivated, eager drivers, and slick camera work.  (When you realize that this was probably shot some months ago, it's almost even more depressing, now that we know how the start of the season plays out, it's almost like Goose's death in Top Gun being proceeded by Goose and Meg Ryan playing it up at the bar with Goose being the only one unaware that his time onscreen is almost over.  Sorry if I spoiled Top Gun for anyone.) Enjoy!

Formula One - Malaysian Gran Prix - BMW Sauber Race Recap

So BMW's Nick Heidfeld was tapped to do the BMW Sauber race recap for the Malaysian Gran Prix.  This is likely because of his very fortunate second-place finish in the Monsoon conditions that engulfed the Sepang track.   Great Job Nick and Team!

While this video recap won't tell you anything you haven't read on heard someplace else, it is worth the three-minutes and twenty-four seconds of your life that it will consume just to hear Nick Heidfeld say, "Wet Waces".  If they ever decide to remake Blazing Saddles, he can definitely play the Madeline Kahn part.  Price-wess!  Enjoy!

2009 BMW Sauber Formula One Preview - Malaysia- 100% Kangaroo Free

Fortunately for BMW Motorsports, neither Robert Kubica nor Nick Heidfeld visited a petting zoo during their time in Malaysia. (most unlike their time in Melbourne)  Not sure if the lack of Kangaroo petting will have an impact on the team's performance.  Based on the this morning's practice times they may want to start looking for an orangutan to feed before qualifying.

2009 BMW Sauber F1 Preview Australia

More like a project from a first year film student at NYU than a release from a major automobile manufacturer, this video has it all; fast edits, grainy 8mm footage, screens within a screen, kangaroo petting and orangutan feeding.  Oh the glamorous life of an F1 Driver!

Then again, with all of the cuts in F1, maybe its just some footage of Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica working their second job at the Melbourne zoo. Enjoy!

Ultimate BMW M compilation.

If I won the lottery I would have this video playing on flatscreen monitors in my garage 24/7.  Thanks to Jalopnik for pointing this one out.