BMW & F1?

Apparently BMW have said they will stay in F1 after their current contract expires but have not confirmed whether this will be with Williams.

I wonder have they another team in mind?

Yeah seems there’s a lot of talk at present about a breakaway series led by the main manufactures who want a larger say in the running of the sport. Personally i think it's a bad thing.. as can been seen by the state of GT racing once the manufactures left...

As far as BMW and Williams go it seems to be an issue over BMW involvement in the construction of the car that’s the problem. Williams understandably are reluctant to let BMW have a greater influence on what is still their car. While from BMW's point of view they are pouring millions into developing (arguably) the best engine in the field while the Williams chassis isn't as constantly competitive as it's main rivals. They have had an advantage in terms of BHP for a number of years however they haven’t once converted this into a winning season it’s not terminal but still I suspect BMW were expecting more.  This will shake itself out over the next couple of months and personally I’d expect to see BMW-Williams Cars beyond 2004 (when their current deal expires)

 

Maybe..

The problem as i see it with them entering as a constructor is the length of time it would take to produce a competative car. Sure they will have a head start on many simply because they have been building F1 engines for several years now. Only thing is having a good engine doesn't always mean your gonna win. Take Jaguar for example backing of possibly the largest motor company on the planet and despite a recent change in form have had 3 years in the back half of the grid.

They are lacking the aerodynamic knowledge and production experiance to build a competative F1 car. Sure it could be accquired and over time there is no doubt that BMW would run at the front of the field.

But .. This would involve a massive investment of capital in facilities and equipment which would in all likelyhood not offer a competative car for a number of years. Toyota have a 5 year plan.. like wise Renault and BAR (who may as well be badged honda). Or they could thrash out a deal with williams and continue to challenge for race wins.. If not the world championship.

Well BMW are the title sponsor of the williams team as well as the engine supplier...

Remember when you see Mclaren it's often written as

West Mclaren Mercedes

As West are or at least were the title sponsor.. Not unusual to have the sponsors name in front..

Althought it does demonstrate the clear commitment they have to Williams.

 

 

Yup and this means that williams are to be given greater access to BMW technical staff and equipment for chasis development also...

So ... chances of BMW williams winning the constructers championship in 2004?

 

Something that was mentioned on Irish TV today about the Williams team was that it was going to be sponsored by Budweiser and this would be announced at the next race () and is supposed to be worth in the region £50 million. Will this extra money make them even more dominant?

Meanwhile I see that McLaren Merc's David Coulthard is still whinging that he didn't get to finish the European Grand Prix because everyone is out to get him!

actually just thinking - if BMW Williams do take Budweiser on as a sponsor then what colour will the car be? Will they replace the blue/white with red/white (like toyota) or go full red (like ferrari)?

Is Budweiser going to become Williams's major sponsor?

Could end up being red, white and blue then.Is the blue on the current car representitive of BMW or Castrol?

Yeah but with BMW being a major colaborator I thought the white and blue on the cars were their corporate colours.