BMW Sauber F1.07

The BMW Sauber F1.07 is a Formula One single-seater racing car built by BMW Sauber for the 2007 Formula One season.[1] The chassis was designed by Willy Rampf, Walter Reidl, Jörg Zander and Willem Toet with the powertrain being designed by Markus Duesmann. The car was the first to have been designed fully by BMW, following their purchase of the former Sauber team. Initial pre-season testing was very positive, with many speculating that BMW could surprise some of the top teams with their performances when the season got underway.

BMW Sauber F1.07
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorBMW Sauber
Designer(s)Willy Rampf (Technical Director)
Walter Riedl (Engineering Director)
Jörg Zander (Chief Designer)
Willem Toet (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorBMW Sauber F1.06
SuccessorBMW Sauber F1.08
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon-fibre and honeycomb composite monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbone, push-rod activated inboard spring/damper. Zero keel geometry
Suspension (rear)Double wishbone, push-rod activated inboard spring/damper
Length4,580 mm (180 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height1,000 mm (39 in)
Axle trackF: 1,470 mm (58 in)
R: 1,410 mm (56 in)
Wheelbase3,110 mm (122 in)
EngineBMW P86/7 2.4 L (146 cu in) 90° V8 naturally aspirated, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionBMW Sauber 7-speed "Quick Shift Gearbox (QSG)". Cast titanium housing, steel gears.
BatteryMagneti Marelli lead acid 13 volts
Power750 hp (559 kW)
Weight605 kg (1,334 lb)
FuelPetronas Primax
LubricantsPetronas Syntium
BrakesBrembo carbon brake discs with 6-piston calipers and Carbone Industrie pads
TyresBridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsBMW Sauber F1 Team
Notable drivers9. Nick Heidfeld
10. Robert Kubica
10. Sebastian Vettel
Debut2007 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
17000
Constructors' Championships0 (2nd: 2007)

Aerodynamics

The rear wing is mounted by the endplates, rather than the pylon-mounted arrangement used by some rivals' cars (such as the McLaren MP4-22).

Engine and gearbox

The engine's name, P86/7, is indicative of the fact that it is not a new engine, since it is heavily based on the P86 used in the 2006 F1.06 car. This is a requirement of the homologation rules introduced by the FIA.[1] The BMW Sauber team adopted a seamless shift sequential transmission mechanism, known as QuickShift, for its gearbox.

Livery

BMW Sauber went into the 2007 season with sponsorship continuity; unlike many rival teams, such as McLaren, Honda and Renault, that had to drop their tobacco sponsorship. This meant the 2007 cars had a similar livery to that of the 2006 design with only subtle changes.

Performance

The car was a significant step up from 2006's F1.06, scoring 2 podium positions in a season in which 46 of the possible 51 podium positions were occupied by Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren in a dominant season. Both of these were by Nick Heidfeld – a 2nd at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix and a 3rd at the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix. However, they scored points on 26 out of a possible 34 occasions. They scored points with at least one car in every single race, and points with both cars six races in a row between the French and Italian Grand Prix. Robert Kubica had 4th places in Spain, France and Britain, which were his best results. Sebastian Vettel scored points for 8th place in his only appearance for the team, at the United States Grand Prix.

Heidfeld was the only driver to frequently break the Ferrari/McLaren deadlock at the front of qualifying, with his best result being 2nd on the grid in Hungary. The BMW Sauber cars qualified in the top 10 in every race apart from Kubica qualifying 14th in Belgium.

The car was also involved in one of the biggest crashes of the modern era, Kubica's at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix. He was replaced by future world champion Vettel for one race.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
2007 BMW Sauber F1 Team BMW V8 B AUS MAL BHR ESP MON CAN USA FRA GBR EUR HUN TUR ITA BEL JPN CHN BRA 101 2nd
Heidfeld 4 4 4 Ret 6 2 Ret 5 6 6 3 4 4 5 14 7 6
Kubica Ret 18 6 4 5 Ret 4 4 7 5 8 5 9 7 Ret 5
Vettel TD TD 8

References

  1. "BMW Hungry For Seconds", BMW Sauber F1.07 launch article, Autosport magazine, 18 January 2007
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