BMW to pull out of Formula One in 2010

BERLIN – BMW Sauber confirmed on Wednesday that they will pull out of Formula One at the end of what has been a disastrous season for the German car manufacturer.

‘The BMW Group will not continue its Formula One campaign after the end of the 2009 season,’ BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer said.’Of course, this was a difficult decision for us, but it’s a resolute step in view of our company’s strategic realignment,’ he said.’Premium will be increasingly defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead.’We are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability.’Our Formula One campaign is thus less a key promoter for us.’The announcement makes the German car group the second major manufacturer to pull out of the sport following Honda’s withdrawal in December.BMW have had a poor campaign with drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica giving the team just eight points this season from ten Grand Prix to leave them eighth in the nine-team constructors’ championship.BMW arrived in Formula One in 2000 and in 2005 took over the Swiss team Sauber, to become the BMW Sauber stable which now employs 730 people.Their only Grand Prix win as BMW Sauber came when Kubica won in Canada in 2008, while he also achieved the team’s only pole position in Bahrain in 2008.The team finished third last season behind Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes. * Meanwhile, Felipe Massa is continuing to improve in hospital here from injuries suffered in a crash during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the doctor treating the Brazilian said yesterday.However, in addition to severe head injuries the 28-year-old Ferrari driver is also suffering from internal injuries to his body’The safety belt violently compressed his body in the collision and his intestines and bile duct received a severe shock,’ the doctor told AFP.’The inflammation is gradually getting better, as is his general state of health,’ the doctor added.The hospital was unable to say exactly when Massa would be discharged.Massa suffered head and eye injuries when he was struck at around 275 kph by a spring that flew off compatriot Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn car during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday.He underwent surgery for skull damage immediately.Specialists estimated on Tuesday that Massa could be released from hospital in a week to ten days. – Nampa-AFP