BMW Sauber unveil the new F1.09

The German squad, who have set their sights on fighting for the title this year, were one of the first teams to run with a 2009 aerodynamic package in testing last year.

BMW's technical coordinator Willy Rampf says the new set of rules for this year has made creating the new car an exciting challenge.

"Developing a new Formula One car is always exciting, but this time there was something even more special about it. We really were starting from scratch," said Rampf.

"First and foremost, the switch from grooved tyres to slicks means more grip, of course, but it also moves the balance of forces further forward: removing the grooves gives the front tyres proportionally a greater contact area and more grip than the rear tyres.

"Because the car differs so significantly from its predecessor, we already started work on the first concept studies in February - two months earlier than normal and before the F1.08 had even started its first race.

"Our aim. was to build a car with high aerodynamic efficiency and in so doing claw back as much of the downforce as possible, which the new regulations had taken away."

The team's managing director Walter Riedl says BMW had pulled out all the stops to make sure they can meet their goals for the season.

"The development of the F1.09 centred on three key areas: aerodynamics, optimum tyre utilisation and the integration of KERS," said Riedl. "That's where our focus has been from the outset and where we have channelled the large reserves of knowledge amassed during the course of last season.

"The F1.09 contains the combined expertise of a highly motivated team - one which will be pulling out all the stops to fulfil our ambitious aims once again in our fourth year on the F1 grid."

The Hinwil-based outfit were one of the first teams to run with their KERS system on track, in the hope that their early start will give them an edge at the start of 2009.

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen believes the system will help Formula One show itself as the pinnacle of technology.

"The development of KERS will see Formula One take on a pioneering role for series production technologies going forward," said Theissen.

"F1 will give a baptism of fire to innovative concepts whose service life and reliability have not yet reached the level required for series production vehicles, and their development will be driven forward at full speed.

"At BMW we have always used the Formula One project as a technology laboratory for series production. With KERS this approach takes on a whole new dimension. Formula One will reposition itself and undergo a change of image, allowing the sport to take significant strides forward in terms of public acceptance."

The F1.09 completed an installation lap immediately after its unveiling, and will commence full testing later today.