Category Formula One Designer(s) Willy Rampf Successor BMW Sauber F1.07 | Constructor BMW Sauber Predecessor Sauber C24 Chassis carbon-fibre monocoque | |
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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 season. It was driven by Nick Heidfeld, who joined from BMW Williams, and Jacques Villeneuve, who had spent one season with the team before it was bought by BMW. However, the Canadian was replaced by third driver 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.
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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.
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)