BMW Formula 1 Engines
Full Name: Bayerische Motoren Werke
Founders: Karl Rapp (1882-1962), Gustav Otto (1883-1926)
Nation: Germany
First GP: Britain 1952
Last GP: Abu Dhabi 2009
Best Result: 1st (20 wins)
Best Grid Position: 1st (33 poles)
Championship Achievements
World Champion Driver: Nelson Piquet (1983)
Best Constructors: 2nd (2002, 2003, 2007)
| Year | Position | Year | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | NC | 2000 | 3rd |
| 1968 | NC | 2001 | 3rd |
| 1982 | 7th | 2002 | 2nd |
| 1983 | 3rd | 2003 | 2nd |
| 1984 | 4th | 2004 | 4th |
| 1985 | 5th | 2005 | 5th |
| 1986 | 6th | 2006 | 5th |
| 1987 | 8th | 2007 | 2nd |
| 2008 | 3rd | ||
| 2009 | 6th |
Historical Statistics
- 270 Grands Prix
- 20 Wins
- 33 Pole Positions
- 33 Fastest Laps
- 86 Podiums
- 1,021 Championship Points
- 21 Seasons
- 42 Drivers
Technical Evolution by Era
First Era (1952-1968)
BMW 328 (1952-1954)
Configuration: Inline-6
Displacement: ~2,000 cm³
Teams: BMW, AFM, Frazer-Nash, Klenk
BMW M10V (1967)
Configuration: Inline-4
Displacement: ~2,000 cm³
Teams: Lola
BMW M12/3 (1968)
Configuration: Inline-4
Displacement: ~2,000 cm³
Teams: Lola
Turbo Power Dominance (1982-1987)
BMW M12/13 Turbo (1982-1987)
Designed by Paul Rosche, this legendary turbo engine based on a production block achieved over 1,100 hp in qualifying trim. Propelled Nelson Piquet to the 1983 World Championship.
Configuration: Turbocharged Inline-4
Displacement: 1,500 cm³
Power: 570 hp (1982) → 900 hp (1987)
Qualifying Power: Up to 1,100 hp
Bore/Stroke: 89.1mm × 60mm
Notable: Famous for 330 km/h top speed at Monza
Teams: Brabham, Arrows, ATS, Benetton
Williams Partnership (2000-2005)
BMW E41 (2000)
Configuration: 72° V10
Displacement: 2,998 cm³
Power: 800 hp @ 17,200 rpm
Weight: 130 kg
BMW P80 (2001)
Configuration: 90° V10
Power: 850 hp @ 17,200 rpm
Weight: 98 kg
BMW P82 (2002)
Power: 865 hp @ 18,700 rpm
BMW P83 (2003)
Power: 870 hp @ 19,000 rpm
BMW P84 (2004)
Power: 900 hp @ 19,000 rpm
Weight: 89 kg
BMW P84-5 (2005)
Power: 950 hp @ 19,000 rpm
BMW Sauber Factory Team (2006-2009)
BMW P86 (2006)
First BMW V8 under new regulations, 20% less powerful than V10 but enabled smaller radiators.
Configuration: 90° V8
Displacement: 2,400 cm³
Power: 760 hp @ 19,500 rpm
Weight: 95 kg
BMW P86/7 (2007)
Evolution of the P86 with reliability improvements.
BMW P86/8 (2008)
Dimensions: 518×555×595 mm
Material: Aluminum
RPM: 19,000
BMW P86/9 (2009)
BMW’s final F1 engine before withdrawing from the sport.
Engineering Legacy
BMW engines are renowned for:
- Turbo Innovation: The M12/13 was the most powerful F1 engine of its era
- Power Density: P84 (2004) produced 900hp from just 89kg
- Revolutionary Materials: Advanced aluminum alloys in V8 era
- Reliability: 72° V10 design enabled compact packaging
“I was still wheelspinning in 6th gear going up Massenet at Monaco at nearly 310km/h…” – Gerhard Berger on the M12/13 Turbo
Notable Drivers
- Nelson Piquet – 1983 World Champion (Brabham-BMW)
- Juan Pablo Montoya – 4 wins with Williams-BMW
- Robert Kubica – BMW Sauber’s only win (2008 Canada)
- Gerhard Berger – Benetton-BMW (1986)
- Nick Heidfeld – Most BMW Sauber podiums
