BMW Sauber F1 F1.06

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Wednesday, March 01, 2006
BMW Sauber F1 2006

BMW Press Release

It was set in concrete as the day dawned on 22nd June 2005: BMW would for the first time be running its own team in the FIA Formula One World Championship, starting the very next season ? 2006. On the afternoon of that same day in June, the Board of Management's decision was announced to the public at large. It was the starting signal for the race before the race: with just 262 days to go, the combined pulling power of a 600-strong team had to get things moving from standstill up to race speed. On 12th March 2006 in Bahrain, the BMW Sauber F1 Team will launch its first season with the BMW Sauber F1.06, driven by Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve.

As Professor Burkhard Göschel, BMW Board Member for Development and Purchasing, points out: "This project represents a strong, long-term commitment to Formula One on BMW's part. For the BMW Group, Formula One acts as a high-tech laboratory and technology accelerator. This synergistic effect has already had a very positive impact in our six years as an engine partner. But you can't win races with an engine alone, which is why we wanted to be involved in all the success factors. In keeping with that, we have now taken on overall responsibility. Formula One seems tailor-made for BMW's brand values, and there's no other sporting event that generates so much attention on such a regular basis worldwide. In 2006 we will primarily be building up experience. In 2005 Sauber came eighth in the Constructors' World Championship. That is our starting point, and I can see plenty of upside potential."
"To set up a new team is a huge challenge", says Professor Mario Theissen, who as BMW Motorsport Director oversees all of BMW's racing involvements. "Our concept includes boosting staff numbers, expanding the facility in Hinwil, an intensive development programme and the networking of all activities in Munich and Hinwil. The division of labour is as follows: Munich is in charge of the powertrain and electronics, Hinwil is responsible for the chassis and race deployment. We will be recruiting more than 100 new staff in Switzerland.

The key priorities will be to convert the wind tunnel from single to three-shift operation as well as setting up an autonomous test team. The Hinwil wind tunnel is outstandingly good. Overall, the factory is good but not yet big enough. The extension plans, which include new offices as well as development and production facilities, have been drawn up and we expect planning permission to come through in spring of 2006. All measures will be fully implemented by the end of 2007. The 2006 season will be a year of development. That also applies to the technical package, whose concept was already largely established in Munich and Hinwil before the takeover. In 2006 we aim to grow together and maximise our potential."

After 13 years as a team principal in Formula One, Peter Sauber has stepped back from the operational side of the business. Now 62, he will act as advisor to the new team. "I was delighted that Sauber is to remain part of the team name. I shall be keeping a close eye on the progress of the BMW Sauber F1 Team. I'm especially pleased for the staff in Hinwil, who will now have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills with the support of their colleagues from BMW."