BMW Sauber will withdraw from F1 at the end of this season, question marks now hang over the future of current drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld who will be left without a drive in 2010.The German car manufacturer took over from Sauber in 2005 and had experienced success in the F1 constructors championship in recent years with a second place finish in 2007 and a third place in 2008.
At the start of the season, BMW boss Mario Theissen insisted it was the teams intention to push for both titles following Robert Kubica's impressive displays last season that saw him in the hunt for the drivers world championship until the final two races.
This season however has been a blow for both drivers as the team have failed to get to grips with the introduction of new regulations that has seen the German outfit only take 8 pts from ten races, languishing eighth out of ten constructors with only Torro Rosso and Force India on less points.
BMW's issues have been compounded by the fact that despite Ferrari and McLaren also making slow starts to the 2009 campaign, the two teams have recently begun to find form with Hamilton and Raikkonen both securing podium finishes during the weekends Hungarian grand prix.
BBC sources have confirmed that BMW have cited the "current developments in motor sport"as the reason for their pull out.
Following the departure of Honda from F1 back in December last year today see's another huge name leave the grid.
The move now see's both Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld driving for their future in the remaining seven races of the season.
Following my post yesterday if Kubica is having doubts about his future in F1 or a suitable team doesn't secure the signature of the Polish driver maybe now would be the right time for him to make a short term move into rally.
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Images from bmwf1blog.com and businessweek.com
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