1/43 Model Review: 2009 BMW Sauber F1.09

Background

The 2009 season is the last season we see of the BMW works team, with Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld entering their third full season together. With a successful 2008 season behind them, the expectations were high, and Kubica was running in second in the season opener in Australia, before a tangle with Vettel near the end of the race brought both cars race to an end. A Malaysian downpour meant the race did not run full distance, and Heidfeld earned a second place. But the car was a handful and often struggled to make it to Q2 and development was slow. Things improved with a double points finish in Belgium, and Kubica scored a second place in Brazil. In BMW's final season in F1, they finished 6th in the Constructors' Championship.

Minichamps

Minichamps BMW Dealer Edition

I opted to buy the BMW dealer edition with a high box and special inlay, but it's basically the same as the standard Minichamps model from the Australian GP. But I like the white box and the simplicity of the livery. As is standard with Minichamps in 2009, this is a nice offering, albeit the only offering.
Score: 7/10

Where are they now?

BMW left Formula 1 at the end of 2009 and have only returned to single-seater racing in Formula E in 2018/19 season. 

The team itself was bought back by Peter Sauber competing in 2010 under the odd name of BMW Sauber Ferrari. Though it is still technically a Sauber today, Alfa Romeo dropped the Sauber name in its entry name for 2019. This is just a commercial deal however, and it may be that the Sauber name may return in the future. 

Robert Kubica raced for Renault in 2010 before a near fatal accident in a 2011 rally meant he has not raced in F1 since. However, he returned to test a Renault and Williams F1 car in 2017, earning a reserve driver role in 2018 with Williams, before being promoted to race driver for 2019. A remarkable return story, but it remains to be seen if he can impress in a uncompetitive Williams and next to GP2 Champion, George Russell. 

Nick Heidfeld made a few part-time seasons for Sauber and Renault before bowing out of the sport, competing in endurance racing and Formula E.