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BMW have ‘no intention’ of returning

2013-05-20 01:50:36

Although Bernie Ecclestone wouldn’t be “surprised” if BMW returned to F1, the German company has denied plans

Last Wednesday, Honda confirmed that they would return to Formula One in 2015, supplying 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engines to McLaren.

And Ecclestone believes Honda’s comeback could inspire one from BMW, who left F1 t the end of the 2009 season, selling their BMW F1 team back to previous owner Peter Sauber.

“I would be surprised if we don’t see BMW again,” Ecclestone told City A.M. “I think they could come in.

“The amount of money they spent was not significant in the grand scheme of things. It makes sense for them to return.”

BMW, though, insist they have no plans of making a comeback.

“I don’t know with whom Bernie spoke,” motorsport boss Jens Marquardt told Autosport. “We are right on top of our current programme, namely DTM.

“In GT sports cars at the Nordschleife and in ALMS as well as customer sport programmes we are posting super results.

“We have absolutely no intention of looking at other categories. We made a conscious decision to withdraw from Formula 1.

“We orientated ourselves around that which our customers recognise as being BMW. There is no reason to alter this concept. It is currently running very well.”