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BMW Says No to 2009 Programme Scrap

While it has surfaced that McLaren Mercedes are very close to putting an end to their 2009 development programme and focus on the one in 2010 (depending on their behavior in the Turkish Grand Prix), German rivals BMW are not yet prepared to do that. Whether that's learning from that past or just another hidden strategy from the Hinwil based team, we're yet to find out.

Nonetheless, as confirmed by BMW Sauber's technical director Willy Rampf, the base for creating an efficient and competitive car next year rests in their 2009 challenger, the F1.09. As the cars' aerodynamics are not subject to any major changes in 2010, Rampf insisted his team needs to gain all the necessary data from the F1.09 in order to start working on the new car.

With only 6 rounds completed in the ongoing F1 season, BMW are still to process and evaluate the information gathered after each grand prix and turn it into slight adjustments to their current aerodynamic package. Only after they have done that and the results will be visible, BMW will switch to their 2010 campaign.

Currently we are not thinking about or discussing this scenario. Ok, next year will be a different car because we have a higher amount of fuel, so a slightly different car concept, but since the aero regulations are not changing then things you learn this year you can use next year,” revealed Rampf.

He also underlined the risks of letting go of the 2009 programme before even getting to its half way in order to focus on next year's car. The team's decision to do that in the recent past – letting a chance to go for the world title in 2008 slip through their fingers only to focus on the 2009 car, which turned out to be a disaster – is proof enough.

It's not so easy to say that you will stop this project and concentrate on next year. There's no guarantee that will work,” revealed Rampf.

BMW are currently 8th in the constructors' classification, having scored a lucky podium in the rain-shortcut Malaysian Grand Prix and a 6th place in Spain, both through German driver Nick Heidfeld.
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