BMW rubbishes Formula 1 return talk

In the wake of Honda announcing it is coming back to grand prix racing in 2015, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone tipped BMW to follow suit in the not too distant future.

However, BMW itself has distanced itself from such a scenario, and its motorsport boss Jens Marquardt made it clear on Monday that the company was happy focusing on its DTM and sportscar activities.

"I don't know with whom Bernie spoke," Marquardt said. "We are right on top of our current programme, namely DTM.

"In GT sports cars at the Nordschleife and in ALMS as well as customer sport programmes we are posting super results.

"We have absolutely no intention of looking at other categories. We made a conscious decision to withdraw from Formula 1.

"We orientated ourselves around that which our customers recognise as being BMW. There is no reason to alter this concept. It is currently running very well."

BMW last raced in F1 from 2000 until the end of 2009, when it pulled out against the backdrop of the worldwide financial crisis.

Although Honda has used the opportunity of a switch to V6 turbo engines in F1 as the ideal moment to return, Marquardt insisted that the new regulations do not attract his company.

"There are always good timing points at which to enter something. For example, we chose the right moment to make our entry into DTM because new regulations were on their way.

"Now F1 has new engine regulations. That suits Honda and has been noted. However, we have not reacted further."

Ecclestone, who has openly spoken out several times about the planned switch to new engines even though they have proved an attraction in luring new manufacturers back to F1, made his comments about BMW to the City A.M. newspaper.

He said: "I would be surprised if we don't see BMW again. I think they could come in. The amount of money they spent was not significant in the grand scheme of things. It makes sense for them to return."