BMW Sauber F1 Team
FIA Formula One World Championship
Season 2009


The Contender
Rarely has making predictions been such a tricky business. However, despite fundamental changes to the rules of the Formula One game going into 2009, the BMW Sauber F1 Team is refusing to waver from its ambitious goal: to be up there fighting for the title in its fourth season on the F1 grid.

The team’s performance in 2008 – the one-two in Canada and 11 podium finishes – set an exacting standard. This will mean maintaining the first class reliability record while enhancing performance levels to allow the team a realistic shot of being at the front of the pack on a consistent basis. 

Nevertheless, the task is a massive one particularly in light of the fundamental changes to both the Sporting and Technical regulations from 2009, primarily aimed at increased reliability and impact further cost reductions while maintaining the competitiveness and attractiveness of the sport.

Radically different
Development work on what will be a radically different race car got underway even earlier than usual. Indeed, the concept phase for the BMW Sauber F1.09 began back in February 2008. The 2009 car cuts a very different figure from all of its predecessors. Its nose is higher and much wider than before. The huge front wing consists of thee elements and stretches across the full width of the car. The rear wing, on the other hand, is considerably slimmer – in line with the new regulations – and stands unusually high against the onrushing air. Intricate aerodynamic add-ons, such as air deflectors and cooling air intakes, have been reduced to a minimum. Another eye-catching feature is the sidepods, which are now higher at the front.

The return of Slicks and KERS
2009 also marks the return of treadless tyres (slicks) to Formula One. These will deliver increased front-end grip, which encourages moving more weight to the nose of the car. Counteracting this, however, is another new development which the teams have the option of introducing in the forthcoming season: KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). The component parts of this technology add extra weight at the rear of the car. Alongside aerodynamics and the optimum use of the slick tyres, the integration of KERS represents another key challenge for the engineers. To this end, the front axle has been modified and the rear axle is a new design.

Chassis and Engine
Willy Rampf is responsible for the F1.09 concept and will oversee operations at the race track in his capacity as Technical Coordinator. Managing Director of BMW Sauber AG, Walter Riedl, will also lead the technical department at Hinwil in Switzerland and has responsibility for the development of the car.

While the chassis is the work of the Hinwil team, the KERS technology has been developed in Munich. There, Markus Duesmann (Head of Powertrain) and his team also had the job of preparing the BMW V8 engine for an increase in mileage: the 2009 regulations specify that each power unit has to last three grand prix weekends – as against two last year.

The men in white… racing suits
It may be all-change in terms of the engineering behind the car, but the men behind the wheel will be the same as in 2008. The BMW Sauber F1 Team will once again line up on the grid with Robert Kubica (24) from Poland and German Nick Heidfeld (31) as its driver pairing. And Christian Klien, who came on board last year, also stays with the team as test and reserve driver.

The team’s race drivers both demonstrated impressive reliability in 2008. Kubica racked up the most points for the team. He added his name to the list of Formula One race winners in Canada, brought home the team’s first pole position in Bahrain and also notched up three second places and three thirdplace finishes during the course of the season. Kubica’s team-mate Heidfeld, meanwhile, collected four second places and recorded the team’s first two fastest race laps.



2008 at a glance: