- 15 Aug 09, 21:16#143293
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
F1 live:
German car manufacturer BMW recently announced its surprise decision to quit Formula One at the conclusion of the 2009 season, but its team will nonetheless continue with the development work on this year's car for the time being.
"Clearly we're all disappointed about the decision to withdraw from Formula One," BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen declared. "The team had established itself at the top in just three years and we would love to have shown that the poor results we've had this season were just a blip. Now our work is focusing on the next few months."
The reasoning for pushing forward with the F1.09 stems from the desire to provide an interesting package to potential buyers of the BMW Sauber team, Theissen explained.
"While efforts are continuing behind the scenes to find a solution for the team, everybody is aware that putting in good performances at the circuits is the best way to advertise their abilities," he stated.
Following that plan, upgrades will be fitted to the cars handled by Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica ahead of the next two rounds, as team boss Theissen wants BMW to end its F1 foray on a higher note.
The BMW Sauber team scored points on only three of the ten races completed so far this season, with seven more to come, and currently stands eighth in the constructors's rankings.
Last year the team finished in third place, and had led both the constructors' and driver's standings at one point.
"We want to get back into the fast lane," Theissen insisted, "and so the development packages for Valencia and Singapore will be put into practice as planned."
Willy Rampf, BMW Sauber's Head of Engineering, indicated that team engineers have again been working hard on the F1.09's bodywork: "We will bring a development package to Valencia headed by numerous aerodynamic parts."
However, some reports have suggested that BMW will cease its development spending by late September.
Peter Sauber, who still holds 20% ownership of his former team, saw his buyout offer refused by BMW's board of directors after attempting a Brawn-style management takeover nearly two weeks ago. The Swiss had declared BMW's asking price too high.
Theissen said at the time: "The aim now is, over the coming weeks, to find a solution together with potential interested parties and Peter Sauber."
Well, at least they haven't given up completely (yet).
German car manufacturer BMW recently announced its surprise decision to quit Formula One at the conclusion of the 2009 season, but its team will nonetheless continue with the development work on this year's car for the time being.
"Clearly we're all disappointed about the decision to withdraw from Formula One," BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen declared. "The team had established itself at the top in just three years and we would love to have shown that the poor results we've had this season were just a blip. Now our work is focusing on the next few months."
The reasoning for pushing forward with the F1.09 stems from the desire to provide an interesting package to potential buyers of the BMW Sauber team, Theissen explained.
"While efforts are continuing behind the scenes to find a solution for the team, everybody is aware that putting in good performances at the circuits is the best way to advertise their abilities," he stated.
Following that plan, upgrades will be fitted to the cars handled by Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica ahead of the next two rounds, as team boss Theissen wants BMW to end its F1 foray on a higher note.
The BMW Sauber team scored points on only three of the ten races completed so far this season, with seven more to come, and currently stands eighth in the constructors's rankings.
Last year the team finished in third place, and had led both the constructors' and driver's standings at one point.
"We want to get back into the fast lane," Theissen insisted, "and so the development packages for Valencia and Singapore will be put into practice as planned."
Willy Rampf, BMW Sauber's Head of Engineering, indicated that team engineers have again been working hard on the F1.09's bodywork: "We will bring a development package to Valencia headed by numerous aerodynamic parts."
However, some reports have suggested that BMW will cease its development spending by late September.
Peter Sauber, who still holds 20% ownership of his former team, saw his buyout offer refused by BMW's board of directors after attempting a Brawn-style management takeover nearly two weeks ago. The Swiss had declared BMW's asking price too high.
Theissen said at the time: "The aim now is, over the coming weeks, to find a solution together with potential interested parties and Peter Sauber."
Well, at least they haven't given up completely (yet).

