Drivers: Nick Heidfeld | Robert Kubica

Website: www.bmw-sauber-f1.com

BMW has so far achieved every goal it set for its factory Formula 1 team.

After learning and gathering points in 2006, BMW Sauber became a regular threat to the front-runners and started notching up podiums in 2007, then won for the first time in 2008 – exactly as the company had hoped.

According to that schedule, 2009 is the year when BMW will mount its first concerted championship challenge, and given the team’s performance so far you wouldn’t want to bet against it.

Indeed it might even have snatched a shock title last year, Robert Kubica having led the championship after his and BMW’s maiden win in Canada.

But the team couldn’t hold off McLaren and Ferrari, to Kubica’s immense frustration.

Last year fighting for the championship was a pleasant surprise for BMW – whereas this year failing to do so would be a big disappointment.

It has been the best of the underdogs for the past few seasons, but now the pressure is on and it’s time to really deliver.


F1 track record

After two prolonged spells as an F1 engine supplier, BMW decided to go it alone from 2006.

Its first serious foray into the sport in the 1980s had seen it power Brabham to the ‘83 world title, while also supplying Benetton, ATS and Arrows.

BMW quit near the end of the turbo era in ’87, before returning 13 years on with Williams.

The relationship lasted six seasons, but 10 wins and a championship near-miss in 2003 was hardly the level of success both parties craved.

By 2005 strains in the partnership were beginning to show and it came as no surprise when the inevitable split was announced.

By then Mario Theissen had convinced the BMW board to bankroll its own F1 operation to ensure its future destiny was in its own hands.

And so it weighed up the options of starting a new team from scratch or buying an existing operation – with the decision being to take over and transform perennial midfielder Sauber.

The purchase of the small Swiss squad was a calculated gamble, as it had achieved just six third-place finishes in 12 years.

But it did boast impressive technical capabilities, such as a newly constructed state-of-the-art wind tunnel.

BMW took control in January 2006 and after a steady debut season, the team established itself as F1’s third force behind McLaren and Ferrari in 2007.

It scored points in every single race that season, and took second in the constructors’ standings thanks to McLaren’s ‘spygate’ punishments.

A further step forward followed last year as BMW took its first pole and win, and even briefly led the world championship.