BMW: Ten years in F1 in 100 pictures
13 November 2009 by Keith Collantine
Ralf Schumacher's Williams-BMW gets airborne in 2002
BMW entered F1 at the beginning of this decade and left at the end of it.
But as well as being an engine supplier to Williams for six years, then winning a race after taking over a team of their own, BMW also recognised the importance of doing something a bit special.
They put Alessandro Zanardi back behind the wheel of an F1 car, they took F1 back to the Nürburging, and they created the excellent Pit Lane Park.
It’s for that as much as their on-track performances that I’ll miss them. This gallery picks out a selection of highlights from their ten years in the sport.
Ten years of BMW in F1 in 100 pictures
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- Jorg Muller tests a BMW engine in 1999
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- Ralf Schumacher and Bruno Junquiera presented the first Williams-BMW
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- But Jenson Button took the second seat instead of Junquiera
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- Button in a first-lap crash at Monaco
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- Ralf Schumacher races brother Michael to the first turn in Spain
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- Button was an impressive third on the grid at Spa
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- Ralf Schumacher spun off during the Japanese Grand prix
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- Newcomer Juan Pablo Montoya made a name for himself by taking on Schumacher
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- The first win for Williams-BMW – and Ralf Schumacher- came at Imola in 2001
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- The two Williams-BMWs led in Austria but Coulthard’s McLaren won
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- Ralf Schumacher won at the Hockenheimring after Montoya retired
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- Montoya finally scored his maiden win at Monza
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- The Williams-BMW team in 2001
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- 2002 didn’t start well for Ralf Schumacher
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- Montoya managed seven pole positions but no wins in 2002
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- The Williams-BMW struggled to keep the Ferraris behind
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- Especially when it rained, like at Silverstone
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- The pair led at Monza but the Ferraris won again
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- Ralf Schumacher at Suzuka
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- The team’s most competitive season was 2003. Ralf Schumacher won at home
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- Montoya won the Monaco Grand Prix after Schumacher led
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- Schumacher’s Ferrari got the better of the Williams pair at Canada
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- Montoya fell out with Williams after Ralf Schumacher won at Magny-Cours
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- Montoya took a crushing win at Hockenheim and looked good for the championship
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- But after a late change in the tyre rules Ferrari won the final races and both titles
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- The 2004 Williams was a strange creation
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- Montoya finished on the podium at Sepang but then the team began to struggle
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- Montoya in the tusk-nosed Williams at Montreal
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- Montoya was left solo after Ralf was injured at Indianapolis
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- Marc Gene stood in for Schumacher for two races before being dropped
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- The team brought a more conventional nose for the Hungarian Grand Prix
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- New replacement Antonio Pizzonia raced well at Spa before retiring
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- Ralf Schumacher made his comeback at Shanghai
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- Montoya beat future McLaren team mate Raikkonen at Interlagos
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- Montoya’s victory was the last for Williams – but not for BMW
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- Test driver Pizzonia performs for the crowd at Melbourne in 2005
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- Heidfeld scored the first podium of 2005 for the team at Sepang
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- Heidfeld and Webber in action at Imola
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- Heidfeld and Webber in the pack at the Hockenheimring
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- Webber at The Brickyard in 2005
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- Pizzonia was promoted to the team again after Heidfeld was injured
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- Webber at Spa, where he finished fourth
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- This was Pizzonia’s final stint as an F1 racer
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- Frank Williams and Mario Theissen went separate ways after 2005
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- The final race for Williams-BMW was the Chinese Grand Prix
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- The Williams-BMW team at Shanghai in 2005
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- Touring car champion Andy Priaulx tested during the winter
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- Up-and-coming driver Sebastian Vettel also sampled a Williams-BMW
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- Villeneuve passing Trulli at Sepang
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- BMW took over Sauber to form their own team in 2006
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- Jacques Villeneuve with new wife Joanna at Montreal in 2006
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- These unusual tower wings appeared at France in 2006 before being banned
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- The BMW Pit Lane Park proved a popular attraction…
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- …especially when Nigel Mansell showed up
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- Heidfeld in the British Grand Prix
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- BMW truck in 2006
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- Heidfeld with his fellow German drivers at the Hockenheimring
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- The Hockenheimring was Villeneuve’s last outing for BMW
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- Robert Kubica replaced Villeneuve at the Hungaroring
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- Alonso passed Heidfeld at the start in Hungary
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- But Heidfeld scored the team’s first podium finish
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- The team celebrate their first F1 podium
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- Vettel was the team’s new test driver at Istanbul
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- He impressed the team with fastest time in practice
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- Kubica also impressed – finishing on the podium in his third race
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- The BMW team in 2006
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- Alessandro Zanardi samped an F1 BMW in 2006
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- Zanardi, who lost his legs in a crash, drove the car using special hand controls
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- A horrific crash for Kubica at Canada in 2007 shocked the team
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- Heidfeld brought cheer to the team by finishing on the podium
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- Vettel stood in for Kubica at Indianapolis
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- He finished eighth, becoming the sport’s youngest-ever points-scorer
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- Kubica returned at Magny-Cours and scored a fine fourth place
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- Heidfeld was on the podium at Hungary again in 2007
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- BMW took time out to see how their car performed on snow
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- The car used specially modified tyres fitted with ice studs
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- Heidfeld also took the car to the world’s great trac – the Nürburgring
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- The car was too low to take the conventional line around the Karussel
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- BMW launched their best F1 car in 2008
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- Kubica shared the front with with Hamilton at Melbourne
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- Heidfeld finished on the podium in the first round at Melbourne in 2008
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- Kubica gave the team their first pole position at Bahrain
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- Their breakthrough result cam at Canada – Heidfeld finishing second to Kubica
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- The team celebrate their one-two in Montreal
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- Heidfeld scored a great podium in the rain at Silverstone
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- A message for Heidfeld’s son at the Hockenheimring in 2008
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- Kubica was on the podium again at Monza – wearing a special helmet
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- Another podium for Kubica at Japan kept him in the title race until the penultimate race
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- Kubica tried BMW’s Williams-designed Le Mans winner at the end of 2008
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- Heidfeld and Kubica reveal the F1.09
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- 2008 and 2009 BMWs
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- Kubica tests the 2009 BMW
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- Kubica tests the 2009 BMW
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- Kubica showed off a Formula BMW car at the Pit Lane Park in Sepang
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- But the uncompetitive F1.09 was a great disappointment
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- Heidfeld in the team’s last home race at the Nurburgring
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- Kubica finished on the podium at Brazil after improvements were made to the car
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- The BMW board announced the team’s dissolution at the end of 2009
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- The sun sets on the team’s final F1 season in Abu Dhabi
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- The BMW team at the end of 2009 in Abu Dhabi
BMW in pictures
Images (C) Williams/LAT, Bridgestone, BMW ag
Only one word to describe your effort Keith
WOW!
But surprised that the Brabham-BMW didn’t get a mention. That was the only time that they’ve ever tasted success.
I don’t understand why some people are glad that BMW are leaving. I am quite annoyed that they left at the first sign of disaster, this years BMW was as bad as previous Hondas, however they atleast managed to improve their season towards the end and scored a reasonable 36 points.
For the previous 2 years, BMW were major players, they were either always right behind the McLarens and Ferrari’s or were even beating either of them on certain occasions. I still believe eventually they would have reached their 2008 level performance and maybe even exceeded it, but unfortunately we will never know that unless next years Sauber does a Brawn. BMW have also brought Kubica and Vettel into the sport.
It’s a shame that they leaving while being tagged as a joke, but at least their progress in F1 was great, and only Renault was better than them in that aspect (Won 2 races on merit in the seasons before their championship years). I also feel for Mario Thiessen, people blame him for not challenging for the 2008 championship, and calling him as a “non racer” but he was visibly disappointed when BMW held that press conference, and it seems he wants to stay with the Sauber team.
If only they knew at the time that this years car would be poor, could we have seen Kubica as the 2008 champion? They were also pretty close to the constructors (despite only having 1 win!). Maybe if they continued we would have BMW in the sport next year!
Thanks for the pictures, this was my favorite team!!
Nice collection.
Anyone know what track that is in the first shot, with Jorg Muller testing?
BMW test their first F1 engine ahead of their F1 comeback in 2000.
This test was conducted at Miramas, France in 1999. Jorg Muller drove a 1998 Williams chassis with an early BMW F1 engine in the back.
Found it on Keith’s Channel.
Tah muchly!
Not especially liked the picture of Mansell’s crotch
Mansell without that golden mustache doesn’t look right.
Sorry, ‘I’ especially liked the picture of Mansell’s crotch
Which BMW livery was best?
o 2000 Williams
o 2001- 05 Williams
o 2006- 09 Sauber
I’d say the 2001- 05 Williams. It was very smart, if a bit boring, and I like the dark blue sections, similar to the old Prost
I’d say the 2006 FW 28 was aerodynamically a sleek car. No aero bits & pieces. That is how a F1 car should look like.
Oops! Didn’t read your question properly. Livery? They were all the same!!
Most boring livery after Toyota.
I liked Sauber livery best
Sorry? You mean the Sauber which Massa drove during 04 & 05? Not sure about livery, but aerodynamically the car was the best looking after the 2005 mclaren that year.
Actually the livery Sauber used between 1996 and 2005 was one of my personal favourites, I hope whatever team Petronas sponsors next year brings back the turquoise.
Wouldn’t say the design of the car itself was anything special- but mabye that’s because I’m not a designer like MP4!
The 2000 Williams. That almost black blue in just the right amount and in just the right places over the white. The hint of red in the Compaq logos is just enough too.
Loved that Williams. It looks classic.
Yeah I really liked that one too.
I agree, it’s the 2001 – 05 Williams livery for me, I really liked the white and dark blue with that touch of silver dividing the two main coulurs.
Mp4 I didn’t really like the nose so much of the 05 Sauber. I meant with Bmw Sauber this year the livery has been the best in my opinion.
I love the blue and white livery.One of my favs.
I will miss BMW:( They were the first team I followed and took to Red Bull after Seb left them.I hope Heidfeld gets a ride next season as he is also one of my favorite drivers.
After watching the entire year, kinda got used to the wide front wing. But looking at the photo of the 08 and 09 car side-by-side, the ugliness of the 09 car really refreshed itself.
Purely comparing 08 and 09, still prefer 08 car.
I prefer 09 car…
I always liked BMW. It’ll be sad to see them go. Who knows maybe they will be back one day.
hahahaha
I was serious about 09 car. Maybe I have gone mad …
Yes you have gone mad! The 2009 BMW has to be one of the ugliest cars of all time.
I remember that day this time last year when BMW were the first team to run a car under 2009 regulations, I got such a shock. The only two teams to make their 09 cars look even remotely good were Mclaren and Red Bull
I think for me the main problem with the F1.09 in the looks department, is the front wing especially those front wing endplates, it looks too boxy and basic, and I think the mainly white finish for the front wing highlights this more than it does on other 2009 F1 cars.
Aww Ned I thought you would be on my side as we both don’t mind the Renault. Clearly I am more insane than you (I may call it better taste
I used to hate the box look to it PJA but it has grown on me.
Nope, you’re on your own on this one Steph!
I’m with Steph on this one, the 09 BMW is a looker when you look long enough at it, once they took out the KERS and had more room to sculpt the car.
It takes a while but you start to notice a lot of detail without flip ups, which is a plus point.
Yes i’m mad, I stare at the 09 BMW in ninth position.
Sad to see a team go (though not if they’re going to have that mentality), but at least I won’t have to see such ugly cars line up on the gird anymore – the last two years’ have been shockers!
great pictures, great memories, thanks for this
Totally agree.
A great collection of pictures.
I know it wasn’t successful and most people thought it was ugly but I still like the FW26 ‘walrus’ Williams from 2004. Part of the reason I like it is because it is different from all the other cars, if the concept had worked and so every time had adopted a similar front end I don’t think I would still like it as much though.
Although I wouldn’t really say I was a fan of BMW I will be sorry to see them leave F1.
some other walrus wannabe-s from 2004:
http://www.mypicx.com/uploadimg/1460189137_11132009_1.jpg
http://www.mypicx.com/uploadimg/980820484_11132009_2.jpg
i’m sorry, i don’t have better pictures about them, and sorry for the offtopic comment as well, but i thought that this is the right place and time to post these rare gems.
Thanks for picture links. I knew other teams had tested the walrus nose in the wind tunnel, as teams always will when someone else comes up with a new concept, but I never realised that any other team actually tested it on the circuit.
Aaaah, – the tusk-nosed Williams. Hard to argue that it’s beautiful, but I always thought it was very cool. Too bad it wasn’t aerodynamically viable. That Williams and this year’s Red Bull – the two most original F1 designs in a long time?
Yeah it was no looker but it’s always good when you’ve got some cars that stand out from the crowd in terms of design and not just colour.
I actually liked the BMW team, much better than Toyota because they actually won a race!
Also Heidfeld was probably my favourite driver of the 2008 season because he also sprung up a surprise in some of the races, like Spa. He also definitely did the best overtakes that season, like Silverstone. It’s just a shame he hasn’t managed to win a race yet.
I can’t believe anyone will actually miss BMW.. Can someone please tell what legacy they have left????
maybe you won’t miss them, i will.
well, since they fusioned with Sauber, they fulfilled the plan like a real Swiss clockwork, the BMW board set for them.
they took over Sauber in 2006, and finisched the year with 2 podiums. the original Sauber had like 6 podium finishes since their F1 debute in 1993!
in 2007 they made another step forward, they were regular top8 finishers, and challenged the podium as well, they became the 3rd strongest team behind Ferrari and McLaren.
in 2008 they delivered their 1st GP win, and challenged both championship titles.
this year should have been their year, according to the BMW board plans, but the acclimatising to the new rules made their life tougher than expected.
so basically in 3 years, 2006-07-08, they did one of the most spectacular improvements as a team the history of F1 have ever seen, or at least i see it this way. from the down-middle section to the top of the F1. i don’t think any of the 2010 newcomer teams can do the same.
and this year we could see, how they fought back and improved the car at the end of the season.
i’m glad that at least the Sauber-core remains which has proved that given the required money (from BMW), they can do what the greatest F1 teams can.
Not exactly a sterling performance for such a supposed big company.. Good ridance.
i have to disagree… Ferrari had to wait 21 years to win the championship again, BMW was very close at the end of their 3rd year. what more exactly do you want?
Well said Andrew!
I think you’ve answered your own question. Compared to Ferrari, BMW have neither vision nor the stomach for the long haul.
Where is the Kimi at photo?
Australia 2002. Aahhh yes….I believe that was Ralf’s only actual pass of a Ferrari in his career.
Also, I personally think the Williams “Walrus” nose was really cool. Too bad it didn’t work.
Nice job but feeling bad thinking they won’t be there next season.
very sad to hear that BMW quit next year.
I miss Zanardi..we met in Kuala Lumpur and he was very friendly. How he is right now..after lost his legs
Please, please tell me why it is so sad???? Honestly, I cant see what all the fuss is about.
Greats photos. You should do the same with the eight years of Toyota in F1. Bye!