BMW to compete in Formula 1 from 2006

In 2001, the FIA once again sanctioned a European title for touring car racing, which was promptly claimed by the BMW 320i. In 2003, BMW won the Manufacturers' title in the FIA European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and successfully defended it in 2004 as well as winning the Drivers' title. In 2005, BMW is competing in the FIA Touring Car World Championship (FIA WTCC) with the 320i.

With a total of 18 overall wins, BMW is by far the most successful manufacturer in the 24-hour races on the Nürburgring. Beyond that, BMW has won the 24 Hours of Spa 21 times. In 1999 it claimed overall victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours with the BMW V12 LMR.

Building on ten years' experience of junior talent promotion, BMW Motorsport took an ultra-modern vehicle to the grid for the 2002 season - the Formula BMW. In conjunction with a unique Education and Coaching Programme, the Formula BMW championships in Asia, Britain, Germany and North America have established themselves as the international benchmark.

In Formula 2, a BMW four-cylinder engine was the yardstick during the period from 1973 to 1982, taking six drivers to a European Championship title. In 1980, BMW announced its first Formula One involvement. Paul Rosche took a production four-cylinder engine block and turned it into a 16-valve turbo unit reduced to 1.5 litres, which by the end of its career had an output of around 1,400 bhp. On 23rd January 1982, Nelson Piquet lined up on the grid at Kyalami, South Africa, in a Brabham BMW, and in June the Brazilian took his first GP victory in Montreal. In 1983 he became World Champion. The ninth and final BMW turbo victory was claimed in Mexico in 1986 by Gerhard Berger in a Benetton BMW. At the end of 1987, BMW halted its F1 engine production. New regulations had come into force and the era of sheer turbo power was over.

In 1997 BMW announced it would return to Formula One in 2000 - with a three-litre normally aspirated V10 engine and with WilliamsF1 as its partner. It turned out a textbook comeback: third in the World Championship in the debut season, second in 2002, and a title contender right up to the final in 2003. 2004 proved a lean year, with no victory forthcoming until the final race.

The BMW Formula One engines were designed and built in Munich from the outset and, including BMW's own engine management system and foundry, and in close alliance with the BMW Research and Innovation Centre. BMW's Formula One division currently employs 300 staff. BMW Motorsport has a workforce of 350.

Sauber Motorsport

Peter Sauber founded PP Sauber AG, later renamed Sauber Motorsport AG, in Hinwil in 1970. In the early years, the qualified electrical fitter built competition sports cars for entry in the national car championship. The Swiss racing team first attracted international attention in 1976 when Herbert Müller gained overall victory in the European Interseries driving a Sauber BMW C5.

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