Confidence on 2007 engine says BMW

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
November 3 2006

Following the introduction of the V8 engines in the past season, the engineers of the BMW are facing new challenges once more. Starting in 2007, further developments of the powerplants are restricted to certain areas. Additionally, the current engine specification will be "homologated".

The Formula One teams already noticed the first ramifications of the change in regulations towards the end of the 2006 season, when they were asked to hand over the engines to the FIA for homologation purposes.

During this period, the teams and engine manufacturers were required to provide motorsports' governing body with the current engine specifications. During the next four years, further developments must be specifically permitted be the FIA. Generally, a suspension of all engine development will be in effect, which intends to limit the effective performance to 19,000 rpm while lowering the overall development costs.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen is satisfied with the engine specifications, which the BMW Sauber F1 Team handed in for homologation: "Over the second half of the season the engineers in Munich managed to hit on a good combination of power and reliability, which should stand us in good stead for the next few years," Theissen commented.