BMW and Williams to focus on Formula One
BMW has given the clearest indication yet that it will concentrate solely on Formula 1 when it teams up with Williams next year
The marque's continuation in sportscars has been in doubt, as has any return to touring cars by the news that its British motorsport base will be turned over to Williams after its Le Mans campaign this month.
BMW Motorsport, adjacent to the Williams factory, was set up to handle all non-F1 projects.
Officially, BMW has said there will be a second programme for next year.
However, sports boss Gerhard Berger is believed to want to concentrate 100 per cent on F1.
The former Grand Prix driver said, 'How we will continue with other motorsport projects in the coming millennium is currently the subject of discussion.
A BMW spokeswomen said, 'We're watching what's going on in touring cars in Germany and we don't want to put our Le Mans car in the museum at the end of the year.'
Redundancies among the 50-strong staff at BMW Motorsport are expected.
A skeleton crew will be retained to work on the V12 LMRs, which will be handed over to the Schnitzer team for the American Le Mans Series.
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