BMW Sauber F1.09
Robert Kubica driving the F1.09
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorBMW Sauber
Designer(s)Willy Rampf (Technical Director)
Walter Riedl (Engineering Director)
Christoph Zimmermann (Chief Designer)
Loïc Serra (Chief Vehicle Dynamicist)
Willem Toet (Head of Aerodynamics)
Seamus Mullarkey (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorBMW Sauber F1.08
SuccessorSauber C29
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers, actuated by pushrods
Suspension (rear)As front
EngineBMW P86/9 2.4 litres V8 Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM Limited with KERS
Transmission7 forward speeds + 1 reverse
FuelPetronas
TyresBridgestone Potenza
OZ Wheels
Competition history
Notable entrantsBMW Sauber F1 Team
Notable drivers5. Poland Robert Kubica
6. Germany Nick Heidfeld
Debut2009 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
170200

The BMW Sauber F1.09 was the Formula One car with which the BMW Sauber team competed in the 2009 Formula One World Championship. The car was launched on 20 January 2009 at Circuit de Valencia in Spain.[2][3] It was driven by Poland's Robert Kubica and Germany's Nick Heidfeld, both retained from 2008. The chassis was designed by Willy Rampf, Walter Reidl, Christoph Zimmermann and Willem Toet with the powertrain being designed by Markus Duesmann.

Season summary

Nick Heidfeld driving the F1.09 at the Singapore Grand Prix

After the team's impressive performance in 2008, winning their first race and coming third in the championship, much was expected of them. BMW made a promising start to the season, with Kubica running second at Melbourne and lapping faster than the leader before retiring in a collision,[4] and Heidfeld finishing second at the chaotic Malaysian GP. However, the F1.09 ultimately proved to be disappointing. At times, the drivers could barely scrape through to Q2, let alone challenge for pole. Both drivers expressed discontent with the slow developments to the car. Towards the end of the season things began to look up, with the cars managing fourth and fifth at Spa-Francorchamps and Kubica finishing second at Brazil. However, the damage had been done, and BMW announced that 2009 would be their last season in Formula One. The team eventually finished sixth in the Constructors' Championship.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
2009 BMW Sauber F1 Team BMW P86/9 V8 B AUS MAL‡ CHN BHR ESP MON TUR GBR GER HUN EUR BEL ITA SIN JPN BRA ABU 36 6th
Poland Robert Kubica 14† Ret 13 18 11 Ret 7 13 14 13 8 4 Ret 8 9 2 10
Germany Nick Heidfeld 10 2 12 19 7 11 11 15 10 11 11 5 7 Ret 6 Ret 5

† Driver failed to finish, but was classified as they had completed >90% of the race distance.
‡ Half points awarded as less than 75% of race distance completed.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BMW Sauber F1.09.
  1. ^ "BMW Sauber F1 Team Website – F109 – Factsheet". BMW Sauber. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2009.
  2. ^ Elizalde, Pablo (20 January 2009). "BMW Sauber unveil the new F1.09". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2009.
  3. ^ "BMW Sauber unveil the F1.09 in Valencia". Formula1.com. 20 January 2009. Archived from the original on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2009.
  4. ^ "Vettel cost Kubica win – Thiessen". BBC Sport. 29 March 2009. Archived from the original on 1 April 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2009.


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