The Team

Based in: Hinwil, Switzerland
Founded: 2005 (active since 2006)

Website: BMW Sauber F1

Director: Dr. Mario Theissen
Technical director chassis: Willy Rampf
Technicala director engine: Heinz Paschen
Team manager: Beat Zehnder

Munich. It was set in concrete as the day dawned on 22nd June 2005: BMW would for the first time be running its own team in the FIA Formula One World Championship, starting the very next season – 2006. On the afternoon of that same day in June, the Board of Management’s decision was announced to the public at large.

With only 262 days to go until the 2006 season, the Munich based car manufacturer bought the Swiss Sauber team, taking over all its team members and facilities, including the high tech wind tunnel. BMW immediately started hiring extra people and made plans for the expansion of the facilities. While the Sauber team did a good job with its team, BMW had much more money to spend in F1 and aims for the top spot in the FIA championship.

The team started off slowly but aerodynamic development work, which increased dramatically as second and later a third shift were added at the windtunnel at Hinwil, and the car became quicker and quicker. The first car with BMW livery was dubbed the BMW Sauber F1.06. The team ended 2006 with 36 points and 5th in the constructor’s standings. One year later, the points tally rose to 101 points with the BMW Sauber F1.07. Thanks to the FIA that stripped McLaren of all its points following the “stepneygate” spy case, BMW ended up second behind world champions Ferrari.

Source: F1 Technical