• BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt states BMW will not return to Formula 1 racing anytime soon or in the "medium term"

                    
      		   
      Published on 09-04-2012 05:10 PM
      8 Comments Comments
      It is getting harder and harder to be a BMW fan. When the controversial decision was made for BMW to leave Formula 1 it was justified using the economic downturn as the reasoning. BMW profits are up, they are selling more cars than ever, and they have money to spare. Unfortunately that money is going to the BMW "i" brand and into new GT models instead of the top level of Motorsport. BMW seems content with ALMS and DTM and rules out any return to Formula 1 at this time.

      BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt stated, "In July of 2009, a very clear decision was made.This (decision) stands. We are very well positioned in terms of our motor sport programme and this is not going to change at all in the medium term."

      Currently BMW is complaining they are not competitive in ALMS seeking to have special rules implemented to allow them to race a car based on the Z4 with a V8 they do not actually sell and they seem to be content racing in DTM with Mercedes and Audi. We remind you, Mercedes does race in Formula 1 with the big boys AND in DTM.

      With BMW giving up on naturally aspirated race inspired powerplants and focusing on profit nobody should be surprised BMW remains huddled on the sidelines counting their money and trying to figure out where else they can stick Motorsport badges. Those badges may have more value if BMW competed in the highest level of Motorsport.

      This article was originally published in forum thread: BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt states BMW will not return to Formula 1 racing anytime soon or in the "medium term" started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 8 Comments
      1. leo985i's Avatar
        leo985i - 09-04-2012, 10:03 PM
        Oh well. Formula 1IMO is not as cool as it used to be.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-04-2012, 10:15 PM
        It's still great though and competing there is a source of pride. Ferrari sells cars basically just to keep racing.
      1. Yukohama's Avatar
        Yukohama - 09-06-2012, 12:02 AM
        I love the Ferrari philosophy... sell roads cars just to keep racing. The same can't be said about BMW. BMW's management and bean counters need to be replaced with people from porsche...
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-06-2012, 12:13 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Yukohama Click here to enlarge
        I love the Ferrari philosophy... sell roads cars just to keep racing. The same can't be said about BMW. BMW's management and bean counters need to be replaced with people from porsche...
        Well those guys were replaced with people from VW because they went too far and almost bankrupt the company Click here to enlarge
      1. Yukohama's Avatar
        Yukohama - 09-06-2012, 01:47 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Sticky Click here to enlarge
        Well those guys were replaced with people from BMW because they went too far and almost bankrupt the company Click here to enlarge
        Did not know this... well then. BMW needs to steal them back lol Click here to enlarge
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-06-2012, 02:08 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Yukohama Click here to enlarge
        Did not know this... well then. BMW needs to steal them back lol Click here to enlarge
        LOL whoops I meant VW, editing.
      1. Scourge82's Avatar
        Scourge82 - 09-06-2012, 03:30 AM
        It's disappointing as a BMW fan, but I can see it from a business point, They just came into ALMS and jumping back into F1 would be difficult. The F1 rules are changing drastically in the next 2-3 years. Alot of money would be spent on research and development. Even Mercedes is contimplating leaving F1 as a team and soley being an engine manufactuer. BMW should come back as an engine supplier when they switch to the 6 cyl-tt engines and maybe down the road become a team again
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-06-2012, 03:31 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Scourge82 Click here to enlarge
        It's disappointing as a BMW fan, but I can see it from a business point, They just came into ALMS and jumping back into F1 would be difficult. The F1 rules are changing drastically in the next 2-3 years. Alot of money would be spent on research and development. Even Mercedes is contimplating leaving F1 as a team and soley being an engine manufactuer. BMW should come back as an engine supplier when they switch to the 6 cyl-tt engines and maybe down the road become a team again
        Your idea of them as an engine supplier is a great one. This is where they made their name early on in F1 anyway.