The return of BMW to F1 will not happen
In 2026, the new engine regulation will come into effect. This is an opportunity for car manufacturers to enter or return to the Formula 1 World Championship. However, BMW does not want to return to the sport.
The FIA has confirmed a list of six engine manufacturers for the 2026 to 2030 seasons. The future engines will see an increase in their deployment of electricity to the rear wheels and there will also be a simplification in the operation of the current powertrain.
The interest for manufacturers is certainly present, but not for Andreas Roos, director of BMW Motorsport, who fails to see the benefit of returning to the world championship of Formula 1.
« If one is honest, Formula 1 will switch to hybrid in 2026. It is already hybrid currently, but with a hybrid system that has no relevance. So in 2026, they will switch to a hybrid system that we already see in cars. But it will happen in 2026. » It will happen in 2026.
A change too “late”
According to Roos, endurance racing is more consistent than F1 in terms of the development of production cars.
« We are already in the IMSA championship and we will be in WEC next year with a hybrid system that is more relevant to the road. So for us, it’s already done, and roughly three years earlier.
« That’s why at the moment, as I said, it’s perfectly adapted for us, for our production cars. And that’s why, for us, frankly, in Formula 1 the change is too late to go in this direction. »
« It’s the same story with sustainable fuel, which is already used in Endurance but will only be introduced in F1 by 2026. »
BMW was present in Formula 1 between 2000 and 2009, first as an engine supplier for Williams, and then as a full-fledged team under the name BMW Sauber.
