And another one bites the dust. The crucial question now for Formula One is how many more manufacturers will follow BMW and quit the sport.
There are huge doubts that Toyota and Renault will carry on for much longer, which will leave Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley with some substantial fire-fighting to carry out if they are to douse the flames licking around Formula One’s entire structure.
Ecclestone’s theory that BMW left because they weren’t winning also rings true: would they have walked out had Robert Kubica been leading the world championship instead of the team notching up a hopeless eight points all season? Perhaps not. But, like Honda, it is easier to pull the plug when you are looking up from the back of the grid. Times Online
The FIA, unsurprised by BMW’s decision following a management board meeting, believe if there had not been such opposition to their plans then the Munich-based team would likely have continued.
“The FIA regrets the announcement of BMW’s intended withdrawal from Formula One, but is not surprised by it,” read a FIA statement.
“It has been clear for some time that motor sport cannot ignore the world economic crisis.”
“Car manufacturers cannot be expected to continue to pour large sums of money into Formula One when their survival depends on redundancies, plant closures and the support of the taxpayer.
“This is why the FIA prepared regulations to reduce costs drastically.” The Press Association
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