BMW has announced that it will quit Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season. Formula 1 isn’t exactly climate-change friendly and BMW follows Honda, with its Earthdreams campaign, in leaving the sport.

The company has blamed a poor run of results for its decision and has decided to spend its money on environmental campaigns rather than F1 racing.

Dr. Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the BMW board, said: “Premium will increasingly be defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead. In line with our Strategy Number ONE, we are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability. Our Formula 1 campaign is thus less a key promoter for us.”

Whilst poor results on the track are a definite catalyst for BMW’s withdrawal, environmental considerations have definitely had a part to play in the decision.

KERS, the kinetic recovery system that most teams have abandoned, will be banned next season.It was supposed to be the start of the ‘greening’ of Formula 1. BMW has roadgoing versions on some of its cars which help to reduce fuel consumption. The loss of KERS in Formula 1 isn’t helpful to BMW’s green-orientated publicity machine.

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