Paul Rosche, the man responsible for one of the most powerful engines in Formula 1 history has passed away aged eighty-two.
Rosche worked for BMW for his entire career from the 1950’s until he retired in 1999, working on road cars to sports cars, through Formula 2 and then finally into Formula 1.
In conjunction with Jochen Neerspasch, Rosche worked on bringing turbo power to Formula 1, and the first BMW turbocharged engine was tested in 1980 before being raced in 1982, and would go on and take the 1983 World Championship in the hands of Nelson Piquet.
When BMW withdrew from Formula 1 at the end of 1986, Rosche returned to working on road cars, and helped develop the M3 engine that would propel many a driver to victory in touring car racing.
He would then return to working on the development of a Formula 1 engine for the manufacturer’s return with the Williams F1 Team in 2000, although he would retire before it raced for the first time.
“We are all very saddened by this news,” said BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt. “Paul Rosche not only represented and characterised the company and the BMW brand with his passion, his vision and his immense technical expertise over many decades in action on the racetrack.
“The results of his work – no matter in which car or in which series – were frequently milestones of engineering skill. The loss of Paul Rosche is a loss of an outstanding personality for BMW Motorsport and BMW M.
“He constantly redefined the limits of what was technically possible. We will preserve this spirit at BMW Motorsport. Our deepest sympathies go to his family and friends.”
