BMW deny F1 return

German car manufacturer BMW has denied that it has plans to return to Formula One.

2014 is such a big season for Formula One with various changes in regulations regarding engines with 1.6-litre turbo-charged V6 engines with energy recovery systems replacing the current 2.4-litre naturally aspirated V8s.

This change to a more environmentally aware format was thought would entice more manufacturers to Formula One as the engines that they would be developing would be closer linked to those of a road car.

The first indications of this came when Honda announced that they would be returning to Formula One, with an agreement in place for them to partner McLaren from 2015 onwards.

Other manufacturers have also been linked with a move into Formula One following the engine regulation changes with Volkswagen and/or Audi linked with Toro Rosso, Hyundai and former F1 key players Toyota, Ford and BMW all connected with returns.

BMW had owned the Sauber team and whilst their name remained connected with the team in 2010, Sauber were running Ferrari engines and had no true connection to the German manufacturer after they withdrew from the sport in 2009.

The team had previously held big intentions in the sport before the global economic crisis saw BMW pull out of the sport alongside the likes of Honda and Toyota.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone remains convinced that BMW are set to return.

‘I would be surprised if we don’t see BMW again, 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.’ Ecclestone told City A.M. as quoted by Sky Sports.

However BMW motorsport boss Jens Marquardt categorically denied the claims.

‘I don’t know with whom Bernie spoke, 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. he told Autosport Magazine.

‘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.’