Despite the fact that BMW left Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season, the German car manufacturer has the firm intention to continue to develop the next generation of F1 stars with their European and Asian Formula BMW series.
"Since the '70s, BMW has a reputation of forming young drivers," Ingo Lehbrink, manager of BMW's Talent Support Program in Munich, told Auto123.com.
"We consider having a certain part of responsibility in this area. Indeed, several graduates from the various Formula BMW series have climbed the motorsport ladder and are today competing at the highest levels of international motorsport. This is why despite the fact that BMW left F1 at the end of last season does not put our European and Asia Formula BMW championships in jeopardy. However, we cannot say anything about these two series after 2010."
Drivers who have honed their driving skills in Formula 1 BMW series include Sebastien Vettel Nico Rosberg, Nico Hulkenberg, Sebastien Buemi and Daniel Ricciardo.
The 2010 Formula BMW European championship will again stage races as part of F1 Grand Prix meetings. Last year, Brazilian Felipe Nasr clinched the Euro title.
For this year, BMW expect the fields to be a little smaller. One of the drivers to watch will be Carlos Sainz Jr, son of the former World Rally driver and recent winner of the Dakar raid.
The North American Formula BMW series ran for a few seasons, and featured very good Canadian drivers such as Robert Wickens and Daniel Morad. Unfortunately, BMW pulled the plug on the series at the end of last year.
"The world of single seaters is quite tough and restricted in North America," Lehbrink added. "I doubt the Formula BMW will officially be back one day in North America. However, it may be possible to see Formula BMW cars race again over there. It will depend on what the teams want to do with their current race cars. We're trying to find a solution."
photo:WRI2
"Since the '70s, BMW has a reputation of forming young drivers," Ingo Lehbrink, manager of BMW's Talent Support Program in Munich, told Auto123.com.
"We consider having a certain part of responsibility in this area. Indeed, several graduates from the various Formula BMW series have climbed the motorsport ladder and are today competing at the highest levels of international motorsport. This is why despite the fact that BMW left F1 at the end of last season does not put our European and Asia Formula BMW championships in jeopardy. However, we cannot say anything about these two series after 2010."
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Drivers who have honed their driving skills in Formula 1 BMW series include Sebastien Vettel Nico Rosberg, Nico Hulkenberg, Sebastien Buemi and Daniel Ricciardo.
The 2010 Formula BMW European championship will again stage races as part of F1 Grand Prix meetings. Last year, Brazilian Felipe Nasr clinched the Euro title.
For this year, BMW expect the fields to be a little smaller. One of the drivers to watch will be Carlos Sainz Jr, son of the former World Rally driver and recent winner of the Dakar raid.
The North American Formula BMW series ran for a few seasons, and featured very good Canadian drivers such as Robert Wickens and Daniel Morad. Unfortunately, BMW pulled the plug on the series at the end of last year.
"The world of single seaters is quite tough and restricted in North America," Lehbrink added. "I doubt the Formula BMW will officially be back one day in North America. However, it may be possible to see Formula BMW cars race again over there. It will depend on what the teams want to do with their current race cars. We're trying to find a solution."
photo:WRI2