Germany Car Giant BMW Quits Formula One at 2009 Season End

BMW are the second major manufacturer to leave the sport in eight months after Honda's withdrawal in December. Photo by BGNES

The German car manufacturer BMW intends to withdraw from Formula One Championship at the end of 2009 season.

BMW, which took over Sauber in 2005, have cited "current developments in motor sport" as the reason for their decision, the BBC reported.

The team, who currently have Robert Kubica and Nick as their drivers, held a meeting on Tuesday where they made the decision to quit the sport.

BMW are the second major manufacturer to leave the sport in eight months after Honda's withdrawal in December.

A statement on the BMW Sauber F1 Team's official Web site said that "the Formula One campaign is no longer a key promoter for us".

BMW had given themselves three years to win the world championship and won their first race in 2008 but have amassed only eight points this season.

BMW began the season determined to challenge for the world championship but the car they designed to meet 2009's major technical rule changes has been uncompetitive.

The team currently lie eighth in the constructors' world championship with eight points after ten rounds, while Heidfeld sits in 13th place in the drivers' championship with six points .

"Of course, this was a very difficult decision for us. But it's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment", the Chairman of the BMW board of management said

Motorsport's world governing body the FIA, in a statement on their official Web site reiterated their belief that the move was an indication of how the global economic downturn was affecting the sport.

 

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