BMW recently announced its withdrawal from Formula One activities but its motorcycle racing programs will continue.The BMW-Sauber team will complete the 2009 F1 season before shutting down, joining Honda in deciding to pull out of the series. Citing the costs involved in developing an F1 program, as well as the team’s lack of success, BMW says it will redirect its resources towards “the fields of sustainability and new technology developmentâ€.Unlike Honda which also closed its AMA Pro Road Racing team and withdrew from the Suzuki 8 Hours endurance race, BMW says it will maintain its  …  Details
Kimi Raikkonen will be rallying in Finland and championship leader Jenson Button competing in a triathlon this weekend while their Formula One teams shut up shop for two weeks.
Tired mechanics and team staff will be enjoying the extended break before the next race in Valencia on August 23 but not everyone is delighted.
“I’d like to signal right now that we have no intention of ever doing it again. It’s a complete waste of time,” said Williams chief executive Adam Parr of a two-week factory shutdown agreed as part of cost-saving measures…Â Details
BMW rocked Formula One on Wednesday by announcing their exit as a team and engine supplier at the end of 2009.
The Munich carmaker’s abrupt decision, after a dismal season on the track and with the industry in crisis, leaves the glamour sport with just four manufacturers — Fiat-owned Ferrari, McLaren’s partners Mercedes, Renault and Toyota.
However, three new teams are due to enter next year with others on standby.
“The BMW Group will not continue its Formula One campaign after the end of the 2009 season…Â Details
FORMER FORMULA ONE driver-turned motorcycle racer Michael Schumacher is not ruling out the possibility of turning his back on the IDM German Superbike series and instead standing in for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, following the Brazilian’s horrendous accident at the weekend.
Schumacher, who retired from Formula 1 three years ago, told the BBC in that he was not interested in returning to F1, but following recent developments the five-time champion’s spokeswoman told the Beeb:  … Details