Where To Now, Sauber? 29/07/2009 It is sad news indeed that BMW has decided to withdraw from F1 racing at the end of this season. As a supporter, I hoped that the company would sign the Concorde Agreement and so be committed to the sport until 2012 at least but, as it turns out, this has been the sticking point for the board in the end; the management is not prepared to guarantee its continuing support and so lose its freedom to pull out if necessary.Nick Heidfeld in the unloved BMW F1.09It is said that the other teams have signed already and that there were just two left to commit themselves. Now we know that BMW is one and my bet is that Renault is the other. Most are saying Toyota but the Japanese company has shown surprising determination throughout the FIA/FOTA war and was, in fact, the most extreme in its opposition to Mosley. I doubt that such aggression is likely to be followed by a meek withdrawal. Watch Renault in the next few days.So why did BMW decide against the sport when brought to it by the Concorde Agreement? James Allen has a good article that considers this and I tend to agree with him that it was not a matter of economics but of politics. With Jean Todt appearing as the likely successor to Mosley as FIA president, the chances are that the governance of the sport will continue to be a Machiavellian mess and that is exactly what BMW has always detested. Dr Theissen has been a voice of calm and good sense during his time as BMW team leader but there have been moments when his frustration at the inconsistency of the FIA has broken through - his comment that one day Mosley might have as much technical knowledge as Flavio Briatore is an example.We can be pretty sure that the team's poor results this year have had little bearing on the decision anyway. Companies set targets and do not enjoy failing to meet them and yes, it was the goal this year for BMW to win a championship; but no company worth its salt gives up after one setback and BMW should know all about that, having come close to bankruptcy in the early sixties. It was one car that saved the company then (the BMW 1500, a last gasp design that was so good it influenced all later models) and there is no reason why the F1 team should not have produced a winner for the 2010 season in similar fashion to Brawn's BGP 001.Which brings to mind the future for the team and its possible survival under another guise. This looks likely, given the excellent facilities at Hinwil and the proven abilities of the staff. Peter Sauber has always been most concerned about the job security of his employees and it is entirely possible that he might be part of a deal with one of the teams so eager to enter the sport next year. Epsilon Euskadi have expressed interest already, it seems.In which case, it may not be a given that Heidfeld and Kubica are unemployed. Both were looking at possible drives for next year anyway and no doubt that will continue, but there remains a chance that one of them may be able to stay with a rebadged team. In spite of his honesty, talent and consistency, Nick Heidfeld is unlikely to be taken on by any of the top teams and so must be the best bet for the driver to stick with the team in a different guise. Kubica still has the fading glow of his 2008 championship challenge to rely on and is bound to be given a seat in a decent team therefore.As a supporter, I have to hope that the team survives in one form or another. I am not ready to transfer allegiance to another and would go so far as to say that none of the others appeal to me in particular. Respect is deserved by such teams as Brawn GP and Force India but somehow they lack that underdog appeal that I am such a sucker for. And the big teams don't need me.So let it be "Welcome back, Sauber or whatever you call yourself now". Here is one ready-made supporter willing to stick with you through thick and thin.But don't expect to be in the header to this blog - that's the kiss of death, it is...
Clive
donwatters So, Clive, if the team somehow finds a way to survive, what engine will they run? Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Have just been talking with Verasaki about that in the comments to the previous post. I guess that, if BMW are not prepared to supply engines (which would be the ideal solution), Ferrari, Mercedes or Toyota would be happy to step into the breach. FOTA has already expressed its support for any continuance of the team under a new name so I don't think engines will be a problem. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Nick Caulfield Thought of you Clive, as soon as I saw this news. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Nick Goodspeed Unfortunately, this move by BMW is disloyal to its fans, FOTA and F1 as a whole. By leaving at this time they are weakening FOTA's bargaining power and undermining the reason for returning F1 to North America. Instead of sticking around and putting their weight behind a new and decent formula with a credible governance, they've jumped ship. They may have dozens of reasons to justify this act but, under the circumstances I see it as treasonous. They are one of the rich cats that jumped in with big money, altered F1 and helped power Ecclestone and Mosley's crooked juggernaut and now they don't like it so they are jumping ship. Shame. Date Added: 29/07/2009
donwatters Just read on another site that BMW is not interested in supplying engines for F1. Sad. Date Added: 29/07/2009
verasaki Sorry to hear BMW won't be a supplier but, that could change I suppose. I have sort of been warming up to the idea of the formula being put back into Formula 1- ie: teams build and manufacturers supply engines. Maybe if Renault and Toyota bail we'll get back there. Completely off topic but Racer is saying Mikey's driving the Ferrari. Date Added: 29/07/2009
The Tru7h Schumi back at Ferrari !Now a true test of his driving skill in a carthat isn't yarding the competition.But does this make Kimi number 1 or number 2...? Date Added: 29/07/2009
verasaki He he he. Wakey wakey, Kimi. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Rob I dont see schumi doing too well. You have to remember that while he was winning, he was in absolutely the best shape possible. He trained day and night. Now that he has been retired, he has had not need to do any training, and so he will most likely not have very good stamina, which will hurt him towards the end of the race. He has also not driven this years car, and with a ban on testing, i dont see him doing so well in this coming race. He will most likely only come into form within the next two races or so. Date Added: 29/07/2009
verasaki One of the blogs this week had a recent photo of a shirtless Schumi. He's not quite up to standard but he's certainly not far below it either. Instead of 5 hours in the gym I'd say he'd cut it down to 2.5. Anyway, Clive- does this week get filed into the "be careful what you wish for " folder? Plenty to write about besides politics lately. And you haven't even finished the Budapest part 2 piece. Date Added: 29/07/2009
aracerdude I must apologize, I wasn't aware BMW was on the grid this year. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Nick Caulfield: It was a bit of a shock at first, I admit. But I always knew that manufacturers don't stay in the game forever... Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Nick Goodspeed: I think you're being a bit harsh on BMW, although I agree that their withdrawal weakens FOTA and lets down the fans. In the end, it's up to each team as to whether they continue to compete or give up for whatever reason. Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Don: Yes, a pity they won't supply engines but, like Honda, they want out completely, it seems. I suppose that means it's back to the Sauber Ferrari days... Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Vera: Agreed that it won't be a bad thing if F1 goes back to being a sport for constructors using different engine suppliers.But Mickey the Shoe coming back? I read about it earlier and it seems a bit crazy to me. Could be interesting, however... Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive The Tru7h: Do you think Kimi cares? He didn't seem to mind that Massa was beating him. And, if he beats the Shoe on his return, that'll settle many an old argument. ;) Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Rob: I tend to agree that Michael won't be the same on his return but I'm not putting any money on it. Seems lately that everything I say backfires!But let me just ask this: who remembers Mansell's return to F1 with McLaren...? :D Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Vera (again!): Almost too much to write about indeed! Part 2 of the Hungarian thoughts will hopefully be done tomorrow.Unless Garcia submits one of his exclusive reports, of course... Date Added: 29/07/2009
Clive Aracer: Cruel, just cruel... :P Date Added: 29/07/2009
aracerdude Sorry Clive, couldn't resist a good zinger!Truth be told, I have always enjoyed Sauber's presence on the grid and hoped BMW would bring more performance and stability to that team. I have to agree the politics of F1 are hurting in many ways.Is Sauber-Ferrari next? Massa came from there, didn't he? I do hope the team continues on.....to be continued. Date Added: 29/07/2009
verasaki Ferrari won't have to widen the cockpit for Schu. He's pretty much the same size he's always been. He just wants to have fun, that's how he found himself crashing that bike. I doubt they even got the entire question out before he said yes. Ah, well. It will be fun to see him race again. Mansell had pretty much lost his mojo by the time he filled in at Williams...which is still a sore point for me. I thought Coulthard had done a great job in the wake of Senna's crash and they just did him wrong bringing Mansell back. Last word. Promise. Date Added: 29/07/2009
donwatters Michael filling in for Mass is so cool in so many ways. From a PR standpoint, it's a clear winner. I' mean, really, what a great story and gaurantees reams of press for Ferrari and F1. From a fan standpoint, another big winner. He still has tons of fans around the world. From a FOTA standpoint, absolutely a winner. It puts the focus where the want it...on the teams. Even B. Eccelstone has to be cheering for all the above reasons. What does Max think? Who gives a shit! Date Added: 30/07/2009
aracerdude In addition to what Don has mentioned, I think the pluses for Ferrari are two-fold. He certainly won't be the driver he was at 35. What he will do is bring his familiarity of Ferrari with him. None of the drivers mentioned can do that for the team. I think the biggest asset he brings will be learning this years car and helping to make next years car better. With the restriction on testing this year and no one expecting him to do anything but help score manufacturers points for the team, he will be 'testing' on race day. Let's face it, Kimi is not one to develop a car, but Michael can. Date Added: 30/07/2009
Pink Peril I must admit to being excited to see Schuey back (never thought I'd sy that) because I've long wanted to see him & Hammy go head to head. Looks like I might finally get that opportunity.I wish Flippy a speedy recovery, but maybe not in time for Spa....As for BMW-Sauber, I am extremely disappointed by the news. Unfortunately that is what will happen when the bean counters are in charge of such decisions. Perhaps we'll see a Thiessen buy out a la Brawn? He could call the team Super Mario :) Date Added: 30/07/2009
isde97 I had a long comment, but I must have displeased the interweb gods, so I will try a condensed version.Given that F1 doesn't visit North America in general and the United States in particular (their biggest market), is losing races across Europe (the rest of their market and the bulk of the fan base) and going places where nobody cares about F1, and the unpleasantness of having to put up with FIA governance.... who can blame BMW the company? If the reality of F1 came anywhere close to it's promise, it would probably still be worth what BMW was spending. As it is, it wasn't worth a quarter of that.On a related note, I would like to puke all over every person asociated with the FIA statement about BMW. It has to be among the most chickenshit and self serving releases that has ever to come out on their letterhead.Somehow, I think BMW would still be in if the breakaway series had happened.... Date Added: 30/07/2009
Nick Goodspeed ISDE97: 100% with you. Mosley is his usual hypocritical self. I wonder if he and Ecclestone aren't giving Schumacher a billion dollars to come back so the media forgets about BMW quitting and the rest of the BS going on? Date Added: 30/07/2009
F1Punter "We can be pretty sure that the team's poor results this year have had little bearing on the decision anyway"I don't buy that I'm afraid. If they were on track to win the world title do we think the same decision would have been made?I think they overachieved in the last couple of years (and credit for doing so) but I worry that they had started to believe their own hype. This season the bubble burst. Against the current economic backdrop: even louder.I can't believe the bosses in Munich were that chuffed with having the ugliest car on the grid either! Date Added: 30/07/2009
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