BMW revamps for 2010

BMW, after its intention to stop Formula 1, was eagerly awaited regarding its involvement in other disciplines. While the start of the program in DTM had been imagined last summer, BMW finally chose to maintain its involvement in the disciplines it knows well.

The propeller brand will continue in the WTCC, concentrating its strengths on a tandem composed of Andy Priaulx, three-time world champion, and Augusto Farfus, record holder for victories (15) in the discipline. The cars of the two drivers will be prepared by Bart Mampaey's RBM team. After failing for two years against Seat, which won the drivers' and manufacturers' titles in 2008-2009, the propeller firm wants to regain the world crown in 2010.

Even though F1 is no longer part of BMW's plans, the car does not disappear from the sports department of the German manufacturer. BMW has in fact decided to continue its program to detect young drivers. The Formula BMW Europe and Formula BMW Pacific Series championships will continue to exist in 2010. BMW is pleased to see five former residents of its promotional formulas having driven in Formula 2009 in 1: Nico Rosberg, Timo Glock, Adrian Sutil, Sébastien Buemi et Sebastian Vettel. They will be joined in 2010 by two other Formula BMW veterans, Nico Hulkenberg and Bruno Senna.

But the important program for BMW in 2010 will be in endurance. After seeing the good start of its M3 in American Le Mans Series, the Munich firm will confirm its program across the Atlantic. Rahal Letterman Racing will run two BMWs, with the same two crews as this season: Bill Auberlen with Joey Hand, and Tommy Milner with Dirk Müller.

But BMW will be more involved in Europe, with regular participation in endurance races, in VLN, in the Le Mans Series and in 24 Hour races. Jörg Müller and Dirk Werner will be the most consistent drivers during these events. They will occasionally be joined by Augusto Farfus, Andy Priaulx and Dirk Müller. Uwe Alzen and Dirk Adorf will complement each other for the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring.

In addition to the German double clock tour, BMW plans to run its GT2s during the 24 Hours of Le Mans and those of Spa-Francorchamps. The Munich firm claims to be in discussions with the organizers of the disciplines. In addition, BMW will develop its customer activity in endurance, thanks to the BMW Z4, which complies with GT3 regulations.

« I am happy that we will be able to offer our fans an attractive sports program for the first year after our withdrawal from Formula 1, says Mario Theissen, boss of BMW Motorsport. We want to build on our success with production cars in 2010, both in WTCC and ALMS. In addition, our program will include participation in the great classics of the 24 Hours for the first time since 2005. »

« The promotion of young racing drivers remains an important pillar of our activities, continues Theissen. Formula BMW Europe is still an important part of the F1 program, and we will also support young talents in Formula BMW Pacific. In addition, we will also expand our customer program, and it will offer a new car, the BMW Z4, which complies with GT3 regulations. Overall, we are well positioned to demonstrate the performance of our cars to our customers around the world in 2010. »