BMW to leave F1?

[this_is_gav]

BMW have called an emergency press conferance at their headquarters in Munich tomorrow morning where they are expected to announce they are leaving the sport at the end of the season.

Shame, as up until this season, everyone was looking forward to them locking horns with Ferrari and McLaren, a plan they were well on the way to realising until they completely cocked up their 2009 contender.

I'd have thought Renault and Toyota would have next to pull out, so this is a little out of the blue.

[McClane]

This is the problem with having so many car manufacturers in the sport. They just come and go as they please. And there was me looking forward to having 26 cars next season

[malfunction]

Confirmed this morning:

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/7/9698.html
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77400
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8173865.stm

[kalniel]

That's terrible news for all those employees - I can't see a Brawn-esque buy out happening, but maybe one of the rejected newcomers might take the slot?

[malfunction]

That's terrible news for all those employees - I can't see a Brawn-esque buy out happening, but maybe one of the rejected newcomers might take the slot?

I imagine the team will survive in one form or another - and hopefully most of the employees too. Though that said I never expected the Honda sale to take as long as it did.

[this_is_gav]

They have some of the best facilities in F1 - the old Sauber wind-tunnel for example is still class leading - so I'd imagine plenty of staff will be retained, even if not in F1.

It's a far more attractive proposition than Honda were, though of course Honda funded a lot of this season and Bernie waived the entry fee for Brawn. New owners are going to be likely to need such help.

Have to wonder if the lack of a future for the team might influence Ferrari to try to grab a driver for Valencia, or might persuade Renault to allow Alonso to leave early if they can secure a driver of Kubica's quality in their car, as previously, if Alonso did leave, you were wondering who Renault were going to replace him with.

F1 silly season has suddenly jumped into hyper mode with Massa's accident and possible suspension of Renault.

[Vimeous]

Well it does mean that any of the three new teams struggling to get their car ready for next season could buy a ready made example!

What's more Team USF1 are still looking for a European base - prime opportunity methinks!

Fingers crossed because despite the poor season this year, last year really proved they're a top team capable of producing a fine car. Good luck to 'em

[Andy3536]

That's terrible news for all those employees - I can't see a Brawn-esque buy out happening, but maybe one of the rejected newcomers might take the slot?

Might be about right having one of the rejected teams take over, the idea that USF1 might buy them i think is just plain wrong. They have already said there looking at doing all the work in America and recon it will help them. The're only after a base and not a second whole set up.
But there's plenty of time for the sale to happen so i don't think the team at sauber need to panic yet, although job cuts may be in the offing no matter what.

[=assassin=]

Seems a big shame for the drivers, hopefully they'll get a decent drive.