Former F1 race mechanics/race team builds the BT52 engine in the historical department in Munich-Garching

Former F1 race mechanics/race team test the BT52 on BMW's test track in Regensburg, Driver Marc Surer.

Former F1 race mechanics/race team in Goodwood. Driver: Nelson Piquet. Fahraufnahmen

We were only a few people at that time, 63 persons who were responsible for the engine development and the production and everything but we won the World Championship anyways..“ 18:22 „Yes, I was at the last race in Kyalami where we won the World Championship. This week-end was so exciting for us and even on Friday we didn’t believe that we could win the title because we had enormous problems with the engine, the temperature, but we worked on it 48 hours, improved everything for the next training and put a new engine in the car. And we managed to finish the race and at the end we became world champions.“ 18:52 „The feeling is incredible. Especially on Thursday when we went to the test station and we started it and it was rolling. You still remember the sound even if you haven’t heard it for ca. 30 years…that was a great feeling.

The fascinating thing about it all was that we were developing the engine within an output range that at that time was unimaginable in itself. Ultimately in qualifying we had output levels of 1100 PS using an engine with 1400 cc and four cylinders. That was really sensational.“ 19:44 „Surprisingly, I have to say, we were all a bit sceptical, thinking that some problems were bound to crop up, as, after all, it had been a long time since it was last running. But it was surprisingly good, I’ve got to say. With no problems, just as it should be.

What can I say, I continue to be incredibly proud to have this privilege of helping to work here again on this engine, this car. And to be able to get the vehicle going again with the old workforce, the old colleagues and drivers from that time. In tandem, of course, with our boss Paul Rosche.“ 20:29 „It was actually fantastic 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. And if that wasn’t enough, then we and our boss would work another couple of hours. It was fantastic, in fact, during the whole time that I was involved in motorsport, from ‘76 until now, actually. But Formula 1 was definitely the greatest time of all.

20:58 „Power! At that time the cars may not have been so great in terms of suspension, but they had a lot of power and it was with that power that we used to play. The things went incredibly quickly on the straights. But around corners they weren’t as good.“ 21:21 „Of course, at that time, the chassis were nothing like today in terms of safety. After all, it was just a sheet of aluminium and a few rivets. In that respect it was dangerous. The seat was further forward and the cars went pretty fast, 50 to 60 km/h faster than today.“

21:55 „To have already been working then with Kugelfischer on the fuel injection and with Bosch as well, and the fact that we were already doing the injection using high pressure, using this pump servo motor, that was certainly a big deal back then.“ 22:13 „Yes, what was going on? A good question! At first, we couldn't grasp that anyone at all still believed it, but then, of course, as they say today, all hell broke loose!“

22:35 „Without the former colleagues, the experts from back then, I mean the people who were in Formula 1 at that time, this project would never have been possible. Because they’re the only ones with the know-how and ability to help to restore the vehicle in this way and to rebuild it 1-to-1, as it was back then. And the great thing about it is that there are people working with us on the project who were in Formula 1 back then and are now retired, as well as people still working at BMW today. And the close interaction and focussed working towards a single result is the lovely part of the whole story.“ 23:17 „Well yes, when we began the project, we naturally produced a project plan and a budget. So I knew the ballpark figure, what something like this would cost, from the outset. I can say one thing: we’re well below what we’d actually budgeted. Not least because we didn’t need much outside help. Because we’ve got a lot of expertise and know-how here from our former staff and also from our current employees, who know lots of tricks for getting hold of good materials quickly, easily and at a good price, too.“ 23:52 „Yes, when we began restoring the BT52 last October it was clear to us that the car would throw up a few tricky problems, especially in relation to the chassis and bodywork. And it was clear to us very quickly too that things would only work out if we took on the help of former experts, who together with the engineers and mechanics still working here would get it cracked.“ 24:19 „Goodwood, the Festival of Speed, is the historic motorsport event in Europe with international flair. As a manufacturer or as a private individual you simply have to be here to put your historic racing vehicles and motorbikes on show. For it’s only here that you meet old racing drivers and team managers, plus current ones from Formula 1 and motorbikes. It’s simply unique, which is what makes it special.“

24:55 „It’s certainly an incredible feeling when you experience that again. 900 PS in one go. You press the throttle, then nothing happens for 1 or 2 seconds, then it all comes together. Then the wheels spin, so in the lower gears you need to be gentle on the throttle and then when you're in 4th, 5th and 6th gear you can really go flat out, but then sadly the straight is already coming to and end.“

25:23 „We had someone we knew well at BASF, he had access to the archives. And one day he dug out the old formulation. And that was very interesting. We obtained a 200-litre barrel of the new fuel and we tried it out and where we previously had our problems, the knocking problems, they were gone. And then we had the turbo boost on top… and were away. And then we had even more boost on top of that. We had significantly more power than the others.“ 26:05 „You feel at home again straight away. We know each other very well. In fact, we’re now all friends. Everyone enjoys working on the car again, seeing it go again, making a din and a stink, as it were. And to have Piquet with us again is, of course, wonderful.“ 26:35 „At one time there were touring cars rules, DTM, where it was possible to run a 1.4-litre turbo engine. And when that was developed, we noticed that we were already achieving 550 PS. So it was an obvious thought to go into Formula 1 with it. Because at that time the Cosworth aspirated engines, the eight-cylinder ones, they had around 450 or 470 PS..“

27:21 „Form me it’s a good pleasure. Because I have such a good devore to win the championchip with this car in 83. And now, 30 years later, be fit in the car here, drive a little bit is very good. The car is perfect. Very well redone and it’s very good to be with old friends, we won such much 30 years ago.” 27:47 „It was the whole championship. The car was very good in competition. We start the program two years behind Renault and Ferrari and in two years we beat them. That was very good.“