BMW Sauber F1.06

The BMW Sauber F1.06 (or simply BMW F1.06) was the car with which the BMW Sauber team competed in the 2006 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by German Nick Heidfeld, who joined from Williams, and Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, who had spent one season with Sauber before it was bought by BMW. However, Villeneuve was replaced by third driver, Pole Robert Kubica, before the season finished. The year marked the first time that BMW had competed as a full team; previously it had only supplied engines.

BMW Sauber F1.06
Nick Heidfeld driving the F1.06 at the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorBMW Sauber
Designer(s)Willy Rampf (Technical Director)
Jacky Eeckelaert (Engineering Director)
Christoph Zimmermann (Head of Chassis Design)
Phil Arnaboldi (Head of Car Concept)
Seamus Mullarkey (Head of Aerodynamics)
Dirk de Beer (Principal Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorSauber C24
SuccessorBMW Sauber F1.07
Technical specifications[1]
Chassiscarbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers, actuated by pushrods
Suspension (rear)As front
Length4,610 mm (181 in)
Width1,800 mm (71 in)
Height1,000 mm (39 in)
Axle trackFront: 1,470 mm (57.874 in)
Rear: 1,410 mm (55.512 in)
Wheelbase3,110 mm (122 in)
EngineBMW P86 2.4-litre V8
TransmissionBMW Sauber 7-speed longitudinal
Power760 hp @ 19,500 rpm[2][3]
Weight600 kg (1,300 lb) (Dry weight including driver)
FuelPetronas
LubricantsPetronas Syntium lubrication
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsBMW Sauber F1 Team
Notable drivers16. Germany Nick Heidfeld
17. Canada Jacques Villeneuve
17. Poland Robert Kubica
Debut2006 Bahrain Grand Prix
Last event2006 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
18000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The chassis was designed by Willy Rampf, Jacky Eeckelaert and Seamus Mullarkey with the powertrain being designed by Heinz Paschen.

The 2006 season was treated as very much a transitional year by the team, so the car's level of competitiveness was a pleasant surprise. The F1.06 was a contender for points throughout the season, and its form culminated with two podium finishes: one for Heidfeld at the Hungaroring, and the other for Kubica at Monza.

BMW Sauber also developed the car throughout the year, with some sort of improvement available at every race. The team's innovation even caused controversy: a "flexible" rear wing was stiffened early in the season and two vertical pylons in front of the cockpit were banned after an appearance at Magny-Cours.

The team eventually finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship, with 36 points.

The F1.06 car is the last BMW Sauber car to be developed by Sauber due to team transition.

Livery

BMW Sauber went into the 2006 season with existing major sponsorship such as Credit Suisse, and Petronas. BMW Sauber received new sponsorship such as Intel and O2, a computer hardware company, DELL was started at 2006 European Grand Prix. The team's new livery, which was maintained throughout its tenure in Formula One, consisted of the traditional BMW blue and white with a hint of red. The front nose livery was also similar to BMW Williams 2001–2005 livery but the grey was replaced by red.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Points WCC
2006 BMW Sauber F1 Team BMW V8 M BHR MAL AUS SMR EUR ESP MON GBR CAN USA FRA GER HUN TUR ITA CHN JPN BRA 36 5th
Germany Nick Heidfeld 12 Ret 4 13 10 8 7 7 7 Ret 8 Ret 3 14 8 7 8 17†
Canada Jacques Villeneuve Ret 7 6 12 8 12 14 8 Ret Ret 11 Ret
Poland Robert Kubica TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD TD DSQ 12 3 13 9 9

References
  1. Constanduros, Bob (2006). "Formula 1 Review: BMW Sauber F1 Team". Autocourse 2006–2007. Crash Media Group. pp. 76–78. ISBN 1-905334-15-X.
  2. "Current Engine Ranking??? - Racing Comments Archive".
  3. "Engine BMW • STATS F1".
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