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More Specifics on F1.09 Update for Spain
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This update package isn’t a panic move and has been planned since before the season started as their first upgrade, but was altered and adapted to include a new diffuser (at least an interim diffuser). The fact that the first update for the car was not scheduled until the Spanish Grand prix has on the surface made the car look as though it is getting worse and worse every race. Keep in mind that most other teams have already updated their cars in some form or another since the first race in Australia while BMW Sauber has not.
Here is a short bit on what to expect from the mouth of Technical Director Willy Rampf.
“We will be lining up in Barcelona with an extensive aerodynamics-focused development package, and are already working on further upgrades to be introduced later on in the season.”
“The nose section, more deeply undercut sidepods and the rear wing are all totally new,
“Added to which, modifications have also been made to the front wing, engine cover and underbody. We expect these improvements to significantly reduce our lap times.
Of course most everyone else will be arriving in Spain with major updates to their cars as well so we’ll have to wait until the first practices and qualifying to see just now much of an effect BMW Sauber’s updates will have on their grid position.
Let’s hope a little German (and Swiss) engineering goes a long way. 
6 Comments
May 4th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Willy Rampf has bee very positive about this upgrade, even saying that he hopes it will bring BMW back to compete at the front. Of course, I eagerly hope this is the case, and BMW can battle for race wins starting this weekend.
Unfortunately, me fears have been realized and the F1.09 is a car that inherently does not lend itself to a double diffuser. It was stated recently that using computational design, the computer is suggesting the double diffuser incorporation is not well suited to the car – saving very little lap time (source GMM).
I fear that had all teams conformed to the standard diffuser – BMW would have run away with the championship, but being as the rules were recently re-written and the double differs are now fully legal – I’m not sure BMW will be able to challenge Brawn this season. Even if they could compete on the podium starting in Spain, it would be a real challenge to close the massive points gap that already exists, if racing wheel to wheel.
Only today have I grasped this tragic outlook, based on word that a double diffuser may not be any part of this weekends upgrades (according to Mario Theissen). This is a major red flag, as it’s clear that for weeks the team has been intent on incorporating this design. Evidently they would need a “clean sheet” to properly develope a car with this major performance enhancing feature.
If the above is true and BMW is off the pace this weekend despite their update – I sincerely hope that they abandon this seasons development and start agressively on the F1.10 – using the remainder of this season and the F1.09 as a development model.
BMW will be world champions soon, but with the craziness of the season so far, I’m not sure they will be in 2009.
May 4th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I read that as well and the only thing we can do is wait and see.
May 6th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
It was confirmed that BMW will neither be running KERS nor will they employ a double diffuser this weekend as part of their massive aero update.
On the up, RedBull is still running without a two step diffuser and has been tremendously fast.
Could BMW thrill us with pace this weekend? I believe they still could still get back on the pace – after all, Rampf made his positive comments knowing far more than we know. Traditionally BMW is very conservative when discussing their performance, so it will be very exciting to see how things play out.
May 6th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Don’t remember if I told you or not. We’ve been to F1 races in Montreal, in Watkins Glen, in Columbus Ohio, and in Mosport. My favorite track was Mosport. You could see so well there as you walked the track. And camping there was always great fun. The people were great too. Oh..forgot in Cleveland too, I think that was F1?
Was excited once when I met Jackie Stewart, got Mario’s autograph, and hubby has a piece of Nikki Launda’s (sp?) Ferrari, and had a short, but nice conversation with Emerson Fitapaldi (sp) in the airport in Montreal years ago.
How long have you been follow the races?
Sandy
Sandys last blog post..Muir Woods, California
May 7th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Shawn:
Was indisposed for a couple of days and just didn’t get to posting about the updates.
How will it go this weekend? I don’t know. It’s as you say all so secretive. I will be watching practice tomorrow to get an idea and maybe more will come out.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Sandy:
Been to many different races around. The latest of course was Montreal when BMW Sauber got their 1-2 finish.
I’ve been following F1 for many years. Too many to count I guess.