BMW prepared to supply engines to other F1 teams
By Alan Baldwin
Mon Jan 14, 11:26 AM ET
MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - BMW would be prepared to supply a rival Formula One team with engines if requested, team boss Mario Theissen said on Monday.
"Since last year we are in a position to do this because our capacity exceeds what we need under the new regulations," he said at the launch of the team's new F1.08 car at BMW headquarters.
"On the other hand, my view is that, at least from next year on, an independent team will not only buy the engine but rather the entire powertrain consisting of the engine, the KERS system including storage and the electronics.
"So it will become a bigger business and I think it makes sense to take this route so if we are approached and its a good fit, I could imagine doing it," added Theissen.
BMW, who supplied engines to Williams from 2000 to 2005, and Mercedes (McLaren) are currently the only manufacturers without customer contracts. FIAT-owned Ferrari, Renault, Honda and Toyota already supply engines to other teams.
Formula One engine regulations have been frozen since the end of 2006, with further development permitted only in peripheral areas. From this year, each car's gearbox must also last for four successive races.
Kinetic energy recovery systems (kers) are due to be introduced from 2009 in what promises to be a major challenge for engineers.
Link to complete article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080114/...w_engines_dc_1
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