Learn about BMW's involvement in Formula One as a manufacturer, engine supplier and team owner since 1950. Find out the history, achievements and controversies of BMW in F1, from the M12/13 turbo to the F1.09 debacle. Learn how BMW entered and exited Formula 1 as an engine supplier, partner, and constructor.
Discover the highs and lows of BMW's F1 journey, from the turbocharged M12 to the V10 E41. BMW returned to the top category of endurance racing in 2024 after a long hiatus. The company is also active in several other series, ranging from the German Touring Car Championship to the Superbike World Championship, but it's been totally absent from Formula 1 for nearly two decades.
BMW M boss. Memorable victories and championship titles highlighted the importance of teamwork and innovation in establishing BMW's legacy in F1. Continuous adaptation to challenges, including engine malfunctions and regulatory changes, underscored BMW's commitment to excellence and competitive spirit in motorsport.
This collaboration seamlessly transitioned from sports car racing to Formula 1 when BMW and Williams signed a six-year contract for BMW to supply engines and engineering support from 2000 through 2005. This was the pinnacle of F1's V10 era, where 3.0-liter, 18,000+ RPM engines provided the visceral soundtrack. Learn about BMW's involvement in F1 as a constructor and engine supplier, from its first turbo engine in the 1980s to its withdrawal in 2009.
See photos of its F1 cars and meet its major team personnel. The 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed was chock-full of road-going BMWs, but there were also a few notable Formula 1 cars with BMW engines. BMW is a German automotive giant that builds luxury performance cars.
They are known for being on par and in fierce rivalry with Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Curiously, however, they aren't in Formula 1 anymore, and many fans may wonder why BMW left F1 and whether they could return. BMW left F1 in 2009 due to a "long-term strategic decision." BMW instead decided to focus on developing.
The McLaren F1 made its debut in 1992. After three decades it is still the fastest naturally. The BMW M12/13 turbo was a 1,499.8 cc four-cylinder turbocharged Formula One engine, based on the standard BMW M10 engine introduced in 1961, and powered the F1 cars of Brabham, Arrows and Benetton.