BMW: new car an all-new concept

"The car is a complete new redesign," said BMW motorsport chief Mario Theissen during the launch. 

The new car design was heavily influenced by the introduction of V8 engines for the upcoming season, although the overall dimensions of the car remain almost unchanged.

"For the designers this means more scope in the design of the car thanks to the more compact engine," said technical director Willy Rampf.

With engine power being lower due to the reduced capacity, the engineers have focussed primarily on the car's aerodynamics.

The chassis has been significantly lowered at the front, which means the lower wishbones are no longer attached below the monocoque but directly to the side of the chassis.

The nose of the car has also been lowered further to the ground and features an underside that curves slightly upwards.

A completely new feature on the F1.06 is the design of the suspensions. On the front axle, the layout is significantly determined by the higher attachment points of the lower wishbones, as dictated by efficient aerodynamics.

The car will be powered by BMW's P86 engine.

Theissen said there would be substantial changes to the new engine before the season gets under way in Bahrain.

"The engine is different from what we will have in Bahrain from now," he said. "This is a technology race."

The F1.06's gearbox was built in the Hinwil factory and Theissen said it was a development of last year's unit, "but the innovations and coming projects for the future are done in Munich".

The new car will complete a shakedown at Valencia today. The second chassis will start testing early in February, while the third chassis which will be taken to Bahrain will make its debut in mid-February.