BMW doesn’t see the point of returning to F1
While many manufacturers claim a spot in Formula 1 with the new engine regulations for 2026, BMW refuses to be part of it. The engine supplier, absent from Formula 1 since 2009, is not interested in a comeback.
The BMW engine manufacturer is not tempted by a return to Formula 1. They were a part of it from 2006 to 2009 under the name BMW Sauber F1 Team and won a Grand Prix with Robert Kubica.
While Porsche was in negotiations to enter Formula 1 alongside Red Bull, the talks failed and Porsche will not be part of the venture. On the other hand, Audi will be present in 2026 as an engine supplier and could collaborate with Sauber.
The FIA would still like another engine manufacturer to enter F1 and a spot is therefore still available. Manufacturers are in negotiations with F1. Among them, Honda would love to make a comeback in F1.
The CEO of BMW, Andreas Roos, explained the reasons for this refusal. Additionally, the costly investments and the LMD-H project are the main reasons behind BMW’s decision not to return to F1.
« You have a very high investment in Formula 1, and in order to get a return on this investment, you will need to have a lot of success for a long period of time.
We are definitely not interested in F1 at the moment and I think it’s also important to be very realistic. We are satisfied with the many projects we currently have in motorsport. We are already practically oriented towards the transition to electricity. The LMD-H fits perfectly into this, and not just in 2026 when Formula 1 will go in that direction. From this point of view, it is the right time to focus on LMD-H.
The LMD-H project for BMW will come into effect in 2023 in IMSA before arriving in WEC in 2024. They will then be one of the favorites to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
