From GMM
The BMW-SauberFormula 1 team is not considering scrapping development of its 2009 car, technical director Willy Rampf insists.
It emerged on Monday that McLaren-Mercedes, also grappling with a difficult championship campaign, is contemplating the move, after Honda made a similar decision last year and gave birth to the dominant Brawn car.
The case of BMW's F1.09 is starker even than McLaren's. After three consolidation years, the Hinwil based squad wanted to challenge for the titles in 2009, but instead is just eighth in the constructors' championship.
But when asked if the season should simply be written off in favour of turning early focus to 2010, Rampf said: "Currently we are not thinking about or discussing this scenario.
"Ok, next year will be a different car because we have a higher amount of fuel, so a slightly different car concept, but since the aero regulations are not changing then things you learn this year you can use next year," he told GP Week.
"It's not so easy to say that you will stop this project and concentrate on next year. There's no guarantee that will work," added Rampf.
photo:BMW
The BMW-SauberFormula 1 team is not considering scrapping development of its 2009 car, technical director Willy Rampf insists.
It emerged on Monday that McLaren-Mercedes, also grappling with a difficult championship campaign, is contemplating the move, after Honda made a similar decision last year and gave birth to the dominant Brawn car.
The case of BMW's F1.09 is starker even than McLaren's. After three consolidation years, the Hinwil based squad wanted to challenge for the titles in 2009, but instead is just eighth in the constructors' championship.
But when asked if the season should simply be written off in favour of turning early focus to 2010, Rampf said: "Currently we are not thinking about or discussing this scenario.
"Ok, next year will be a different car because we have a higher amount of fuel, so a slightly different car concept, but since the aero regulations are not changing then things you learn this year you can use next year," he told GP Week.
"It's not so easy to say that you will stop this project and concentrate on next year. There's no guarantee that will work," added Rampf.
photo:BMW