Formula BMW
The Formula BMW was an entry-level class of Formula racing . As early as the age of 15, young drivers were able to start racing with the FB02 standard vehicle. The racing series was in competition with the ADAC Formula Masters in German-speaking countries .
concept
All series included a diverse training and coaching program as well as the promotion of promising talents. With the Formula BMW, the young drivers were offered entry into formula racing straight from the kart series. After graduating from Formula BMW, they usually faced promotion to Formula 3 or comparable series. In some cases, they continued to receive funding from BMW. The most prominent graduates from the talent school are Formula 1 drivers Christian Klien , Nico Rosberg , Sebastian Vettel and Nico Hülkenberg .
Technical specifications
The vehicles and engines were not designed for performance, but rather for durability and ease of maintenance in order to keep the series financially attractive. All teams had to use the same vehicles, to which only changes due to accidents or wear and tear could be made. However, different coil springs were also available for coordination. The front and rear wings were adjustable.
chassis
Length: 3,975 mm
Wheelbase : 2,610 mm
Front track : 1,537 mm
Rear track: 1,466 mm
The French company Mygale prevailed as the chassis manufacturer .
engine
The vehicles have the four-cylinder in-line engine from the BMW K 1200 RS (since 1997) with 103 kW (140 PS), 1171 cm³ displacement and two overhead camshafts .
Maintenance is guaranteed by the Schnitzer company . The motors are sealed to keep costs down .
transmission
A six-speed Hewland FTR200 sequential longitudinal transmission is used. All gear parts must be marked. Shifting takes place with a lever to the right of the steering wheel.
bikes
One-piece aluminum wheels with central locking are used. The tires in sizes 20 / 54-13 (front) and 22 / 54-13 (rear) come from Michelin .
safety
The monoposto was launched from the 2002 season and was designed above all for a high level of safety: it exceeded the safety requirements of the international automobile association FIA for its class and in some cases met Formula 1 standards. BMW Motorsport developed the FORS formula rescue seat especially for Formula BMW. A protection system for the cervical spine ( HANS “head and neck support”) was also mandatory for all drivers.
Series
Formula BMW ADAC / Germany
From 2002 to 2007 there was a German Formula BMW series. This originated from the Formula ADAC and drove up to and including 2005 under the name Formula BMW ADAC ; In 2006 and 2007 the championship drove under the name Formula BMW Germany . Jens Klingmann was the last champion for Eifelland Racing . The ADAC then again founded its own junior formula series, the ADAC Formula Masters.
master
| season | master |
|---|---|
| 2002 |
 Nico Rosberg
|
| 2003 |
 Maximilian Götz
|
| 2004 |
Sebastian Vettel
|
| 2005 |
Nico Hulkenberg
|
| 2006 |
Christian Vietoris
|
| 2007 |
Jens Klingmann
|
driver
The future Formula 1 drivers André Lotterer (1999), Christian Klien (2000-2001), Timo Glock (2001), Nico Rosberg (2002), Sebastian Vettel (2003-2004), Adrian Sutil (2003), Sebastien Buemi ( 2004–2005), Nico Hülkenberg (2005), Sergio Pérez (2005–2006) and Esteban Gutiérrez (2007) start earlier in this series. With Catharina Felser (2001), Ina Fabry (2001), Sabrina Hungerbühler (2001), Natacha Gachnang (2003–2005) and Marlene Dietrich (2007) some women started in this series.
Formula BMW Asia / Pacific
The second Formula BMW championship took place in Asia. From 2003 to 2007 the championship was called Formula BMW Asia , but due to the expansion of the driver's catchment area - and Oceania was added - from 2008 the title was changed to Formula BMW Pacific . The series drove as part of the Asian Formula 1 races and as part of the Asian Festival of Speed , a series of events for various motorsport championships in the Asian region. In the course of restructuring within BMW Motorsports, the series lost its official factory support at the end of the 2010 season, but will continue as the JK Racing Asia Series .
master
| season | master |
|---|---|
| 2003 |
 Ho-Pin Tung
|
| 2004 |
 Marchy Lee
|
| 2005 |
 Salman Al Khalifa
|
| 2006 |
 Earl Bamber
|
| 2007 |
 Jazeman Jaafar
|
| 2008 |
Ross Jamison
|
| 2009 |
 Rio Haryanto
|
| 2010 |
 Richard Bradley
|
Formula BMW Great Britain
From 2004 to 2007 there was Formula BMW Great Britain on the British Isles , which was part of the BTCC . The last championship of the British series went to the Swede Marcus Ericsson .
master
| season | master |
|---|---|
| 2004 |
 Tim Bridgman
|
| 2005 |
Dean Smith
|
| 2006 |
 Niall Breen
|
| 2007 |
 Marcus Ericsson
|
Formula BMW USA / Americas
Parallel to the British series, a separate championship for Formula BMW vehicles was also launched in the USA. From 2004 to 2007 inclusive she drove under the title Formula BMW USA in various American motorsport series. The championship, which is under the flag of the IMSA , expanded to Formula BMW Americas from 2008 and also visited racetracks in Central and South America under this title. From 2010 onwards there was no longer a separate series on the American continent. The last master was Gabby Chaves .
master
| season | master |
|---|---|
| 2004 |
Andreas Wirth
|
| 2005 |
 Richard Philippe
|
| 2006 |
 Robert Wickens
|
| 2007 |
Daniel Morad
|
| 2008 |
 Alexander Rossi
|
| 2009 |
 Gabby Chaves
|
Formula BMW Europe
From the 2008 season, the British and German Formula BMWs were combined to form the joint Formula BMW Europe . With the new concept in the context of the European Formula 1 races, the drivers should be brought even closer to the events of the subsequent series. The series consisted of eight race weekends with two races each year. It was discontinued at the end of the 2010 season as part of the restructuring within BMW Motorsport . The last master was Robin Frijns .
master
| season | master |
|---|---|
| 2008 |
 Esteban Gutiérrez
|
| 2009 |
 Felipe Nasr
|
| 2010 |
 Robin Frijns
|
driver
The future Formula 1 drivers Esteban Gutiérrez (2008), Alexander Rossi (2008), Felipe Nasr (2009), Rio Haryanto (2009) and Carlos Sainz junior (2010) previously drove in this series.
Formula BMW world finals
From 2005 to 2008, there was always a world finale for all Formula BMW series at the end of the year. A race weekend with three races was held again on a single track. Drivers from all series faced each other and determined the best Formula BMW driver of the past season. The winner was allowed to test a Formula 1 racing car from the BMW Sauber F1 Team the following year . After the restructuring of BMW motorsport activities in summer 2009, the world finals no longer took place.
winner
| year | route | winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 |
Bahrain International Circuit
|
Marco Holzer
|
| 2006 |
 Circuit Ricardo Tormo
|
Christian Vietoris
|
| 2007 |
Circuit Ricardo Tormo
|
 Philipp Eng
|
| 2008 |
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
|
Alexander Rossi
|
Related series
Formula BMW Talent Cup
The Formula BMW Talent Cup was launched in Spain in 2008 and consisted of two races each in Barcelona , Jerez de la Frontera , Valencia (four races), Huelva-Monteblanco and Jarama . The series was stopped two runs before the end, at which point the Argentinian Camilo Echevarría was leading the ranking.
The concept was taken up again for the 2011 season, with the Formula BMW Talent Cup now taking place across Europe. The standard vehicle FB02 will continue to be used, drivers from 14 to 18 years of age are allowed to start.
winner
| season | winner |
|---|---|
| 2011 |
Stefan Wackerbauer
|
Formula LO
In the Swiss racing series that has been active since 2000, the FB02 has been the standard car since 2009. Before that, it was one of the approved models alongside Formula Junior and BMW Formula ADAC .
JK Racing Asia Series
As the successor to Formula BMW Pacific , the JK Racing Asia Series has been held since 2011 , in which the FB02 bolide is still the standard vehicle.
master
| season | master |
|---|---|
| 2011 |
Lucas Auer
|
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ DMSB regulations 2007-2010
- ↑ JK Tire & Industries Launches the JK Racing Asia Series ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) afos.com
- ↑ BMW Motorsport is breaking new ground in promoting young talent. ( Memento from April 4, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) bmw-motorsport.com
- ^ Camilo prepara el 2009 esperando su premio. sportmotor.com.ar, November 14, 2008, accessed March 22, 2012 .
- ↑ Formula BMW Talent Cup to appear in five European countries. ( Memento from March 6, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) bmw-motorsport.com
- ↑ Frequently asked questions about the Formula BMW Talent Cup 2012. (No longer available online.) Archived from the original on February 25, 2012 ; Retrieved February 25, 2012 .
- ^ JK Racing Asia Series 2011 REGULATIONS (page 15) ( Memento from September 3, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) afos.com
