Formula BMW was a junior racing formula for single seater cars. It was positioned at the bottom of the motorsport career ladder alongside the longer established Formula Ford category. Like Formula Ford, it was intended to function as the young kart racing graduate's first experience of car racing.
The new formula was created by BMW Motorsport in 2001, with the first of its championships being inaugurated in Germany in 2002. Selected competitors from each series meet in the World Final at the end of each season, with the promise of a Formula One test for the winner.
From 2011 onwards BMW ceased to support the Pacific and Europe series, in favour of the Formula BMW Talent Cup. The Talent Cup, which was the final Formula BMW championship in existence, ended after the 2013 season.
Origins BMW has prior experience of junior formula racing, as a successful engine supplier in Formula Two and, more briefly, Formula Three in the 1970s. Its European F2 Championship program, which ran from 1973 to 1981, contributed to six drivers' titles in partnership with March. The company ended its participation prior to its first entry into Formula One in the 1980s.
BMW returned to the junior categories in Germany in 1991, as the engine supplier to the Formula ADAC championship.Formula BMW History FormulaBMWUSA.com. Retrieved on January 25, 2007. The first champion was Christian Abt.Champions, 1991 Driverdb.com. Retrieved January 23, 2007. It was in 2001 that BMW decided to significantly increase its involvement in the series; ADAC remained the sanctioning body, but BMW Motorsport devised the package of regulations and commissioned the new chassis. The new formula made its debut at Hockenheim in April 2002.2002 FBMW ADAC calendar Forix.autosport.com. Retrieved March 2, 2007.
Among the series' more notable teams was Team Rosberg, founded by former Formula One world champion Keke Rosberg, which entered the original Formula BMW ADAC in 1999 and continued into the all-new championship. The team took Rosberg's son, Nico, to the 2002 championship title in his rookie year.Team Rosberg History Team-rosberg.de. Retrieved January 23, 2007. By 2006, Nico Rosberg had progressed to Formula One.
Formula BMW then expanded to encompass four championships across three continents. The German series was followed by a south-east Asian championship in 2003,FBMW Asia is launched Autosport-atlas.com, December 4, 2002. Retrieved on January 25, 2007. and series in the United Kingdom and the United States were launched the following year.FBMW headed for the USA Autosport-atlas.com, September 26, 2003. Retrieved on January 25, 2007. The UK and German championships merged into a new pan-European series in 2008.FBMW Europe to launch in 2008 FormulaBMWUSA.com, June 28, 2007. Retrieved on October 3, 2007.Carlin ends on a high Formula3.cc, September 5, 2007. Retrieved on September 11, 2007.
Overview Competitors benefited from BMW Motorsport's Education and Coaching Program, which is based at two Formula BMW Racing Centres at the Circuit de Valencia in Spain and the Bahrain International Circuit at Sakhir, Bahrain. The centres provided courses in race driving, chassis setup, fitness and nutrition, media management, and sponsorship searching.Guidance for Formula BMW drivers F1prospects.com, December 9, 2005. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.
To be eligible to compete in Formula BMW, drivers had to be at least fifteen years old, and must not have competed in any international racing series other than karting. They must have held an International racing license no higher than Grade C.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.1 p.4 (FIA International racing licenses are graded from A to D, with an additional super-license above Grade A.)Appendix L to the International Sporting Code Retrieved March 2, 2007. Competitors must take part in a Licensing Course at one of the Racing Centres.Jackie Weiss completes licensing course Freepressreleases.co.uk, August 15, 2006. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.3 p.5
BMW also provided an annual scholarship for five young drivers in each championship, between the ages of fifteen and eighteen, who were chosen through a selection process. It provides each driver with a budget of £35,000 in the UK,UK Scholarship drivers chosen F1prospects.com, November 14, 2005. Retrieved on January 20, 2007. US$50,000 in Asia, and US$40,000 in the USA.FBMW USA announces Scholarship drivers F1prospects.com, December 13, 2005. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.
The best drivers from each championship were invited to the Formula BMW World Final, which takes place at one of the Formula BMW Racing Centres in December of each year. The 2006 event was held at Valencia. It was composed of a series of elimination heats followed by a final race. The winner was awarded a Formula One test with BMW-Sauber.Holzer makes solid impression Autosport.com, November 24, 2006. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.
Technical information
Formula BMW was what is sometimes referred to as a "slicks and wings" formula, which describes the use of slick tires and downforce-generating wings at the front and rear. The addition of wings results in cornering speeds that are faster than those achieved by the wingless Formula Ford cars and comparable to Formula Renault, and provides drivers with valuable first-time experience of the unique characteristics of aerodynamic downforce.
Formula BMW was strictly a "control" formula. This term describes a formula in which every major aspect of equipment and suppliers is restricted. Control formulae normally have only one chassis specification, one engine, and single suppliers of tires and fuel. Modifications to the chassis, bodywork and engine are not permitted and this is strictly enforced through scrutineering. In the case of Formula BMW, tuning is restricted to basic adjustment of the gear ratios, suspension, brake balance, and wing angles.Chassis technology FormulaBMWUSA.com. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.Technical specification FormulaBMWUSA.com. Retrieved on January 20, 2007. The engines are sealed to prevent illegal modifications and are serviced by Schnitzer Motorsport.Drivetrain technology FormulaBMWUSA.com. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.
DesignworksUSA, a subsidiary of BMW, led the design of the car in cooperation with the French chassis constructor Mygale, which was responsible for production. The result, designated "FB02", was a compact design, with a carbon-fibre composite tub constructed to the safety standards of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (motorsport's world governing body). The bodywork is made from a kevlar composite.Mygale product details Mygale-cars.com. Retrieved on January 20, 2007. At 3.975 m (13.041 ft) in length, it was larger than a Formula Ford 1600, and slightly smaller than a Formula Renault 2000.
The engine was sourced from BMW's motorcycle division: it is a near-standard K1200RS motorcycle engine, in an inline four-cylinder configuration, with a capacity of 1171 cc, and a power output of . Drive is through a single-plate clutch and a six-speed sequential gearbox, produced by Hewland. The complete car weighs 455 kg without fuel and driver.FB02 Technical data BMW-motorsport.com. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.
Sporting regulations As part of the effort to tightly control costs, Formula BMW follows the lead set by most junior single seater formulae by strictly limiting testing. During the season, teams and drivers are primarily limited to a small number of official test days, the cost of which is reimbursed by the series organisers. The teams are allowed to test at circuits that do not host championship events, provided they do not use a driver that competes in the championship. On-board data-loggers are used to monitor each team's on-track activity between race weekends, and illegal running is likely to incur a fine or suspension.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.10 p7-8.
Each chassis is subject to safety inspections by the scrutineers, and may be replaced only if it is deemed necessary due to irreparable accident damage. If this occurs after a qualifying session, that driver's times have to be annulled and the driver must start at the back of the grid. Spare cars (second cars for use in the event of a problem with the first car) are not permitted.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.11 p8. At the end of each session or race, the cars have to be submitted to the scrutineers under Parc fermé conditions.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.15 p10.
The use of treaded rain tires in place of the normal slick tires is permitted only when the race director deems it necessary in any given session or race, and he reserves the right to mandate their use when conditions are severe.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.21 p12. For safety reasons, the pitlane is subject to a 60-km/h (37.5-mph) speed limit, violation of which will result in a drive-through penalty.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.19 p12. Drivers must wear FIA-specification helmets and use the Head And Neck Support (HANS) restraint system.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 5.21 p37.
Each race begins with a formation lap behind the safety car, prior to the start itself. During this lap, the drivers must maintain position and not perform dangerous actions such as brake-testing, excessive weaving, and practice starts.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.24 p13-14.
Event schedule Each weekend begins with a 40-minute free practice session, except at events that support a Formula One Grand Prix, where the schedule is subject to change. Each race is preceded by a 20-minute qualifying session, in which competitors must set a time within 130% of the fastest time in order to qualify for the race. The time set in the qualifying session determines the driver's starting position for the race. If only one qualifying session can take place, each driver's second best time will determine his grid position for the second race. If no qualifying sessions can take place, the current championship standings will decide the grid for both races.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.23 p12-13.
Each race must cover a minimum distance of 60 km (37.5 mi), with that figure determining the number of laps according to the length of the circuit. If the race duration exceeds 30 minutes, it will be stopped at the end of that lap. In the event of a race being stopped prematurely, full points are awarded if the race leader completed at least 75% of the distance, while half points are awarded if at least 50% is completed. If a race is stopped prior to half-distance, it will be restarted where possible.Formula BMW Regulations (2006) Article 3.27 p15. Full points are awarded as follows: Position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th Points 20 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 The UK championship is composed of ten rounds, with two races per round. The German championship previously ran for ten rounds, but was reduced to nine in 2006. The US championship has only seven rounds, each with two races.FBMW USA 2007 race schedule Forix.autosport.com. Retrieved on January 23, 2007. The Asian championship is a little different: it used to run seven rounds with two races per weekend, but now has six rounds with four races per weekend at all bar one round.FBMW Asia Homepage AFOS.com. Retrieved on January 20, 2007. Having fewer events, but with more races at each, helps to reduce transport and travel costs without reducing the number of races.
Championships
Germany & Europe