By BMWF1Talk & Autosport
November 14 2009

Former BMW Sauber track engineer Antonio Cuquerella, Valencia-born, has already joined the Campos Meta team. We had already talked about his future back in Abu Dhabi, were it was clear that he would be joining his countryman Adrián Campos in his new F1 venture, in a higher role. Currently he is in charge of following the development of Dallara's design for the Campos team.

Antonio, who joined BMW Sauber a couple of years ago, soon became Robert Kubica's race engineer and right from day one it was clear there was a special feeling between them; the Polish driver was very pleased with the technical abilities of his new engineer, after he experienced some problems with his previous one. And from what we could see also the personal relation was very good, the pair being spotted a few times having a relaxed chat.

Although we knew Antonio was heading to  the Campos team, which currently is still based in his homeland Valencia, no official statement has been made to the date, and we have had to wait until Autosport spoke with him.

You can find here the article: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80157

It was quite obvious, though, that this movement would eventually happen, with many factors into play: Kubica leaving BMW Sauber, a new homeland team which could suit the private life demands better, role promotion, the uncertainty of the Sauber/Qadbak future...

Back in Abu Dhabi, just after the race he had some chats and farewell hugs with his colleagues from Bridgestone and other people from the paddock, surely discussing about his future team too.

Incidentally something that not many know is that the Campos Meta F1 idea emerged after a talk between Toni Cuquerella and Adrián Campos at the end of last year, when the former commented Adrián about the new regulations that the FIA was set to introduce, that is the budget cap, Cosworth engine and so on. Furthermore his first involvement as race engineer was in CamposGP back in 1999.

All in all we would like to wish Toni all the best, and we hope Sauber will be able to cover the empty space with another very capable person.

Former Kubica engineer Toni Cuquerella officially in Campos

Discussion started by BMW Sauber F1 (IP Logged), 14/11/2009 12:37

BMW Sauber F1
14/11/2009 12:37

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Gemm
14/11/2009 16:02

Thanks to Antonio for his contribution to BMW achivements, especially in 2008 where he engineered car number 4 to Team's maiden pole position and maiden win.

All the best for 2010. He experience will be priceless for new team.

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KineticKid
14/11/2009 16:43

Good luck to Tonio in his new venture.

I suppose as an engineer you'd always go for the greater challenge and the chance to have greater input over the design and development of the car, but personally I don't understand why all these race engineers so readily turn their backs on the excitement of sitting on the pitwall with all the pressure of making quick decisions and seeing the immediate impact those decisions have on the outcome of the race. I know which job I would rather have.

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Raid Phoenix
15/11/2009 15:07

KK, I think we have similar likes on this kind of stuff, but I can perfectly understand Antonio's move. After lots of pressure moment you can easily end up fed up. That easily leads for the search of new challenges, and getting a role promotion, even if it takes you away a bit from the direct track action, it is also a warm feeling of recognition of having done a good job, and ultimately you are getting more real impact on the car performance, as more gains can be done on the car design than on the set-up.

Needless to say that moving back to his home Valencia does help quite a lot too, and it was Campos who gave him the first opportunity a decade ago.

The challenging of bringing up a new team, something similar to what Heidfeld described a couple f years ago, is a very thrilling thing. Actually for me it's much more fun to start from the bottom and see something grow rather than take it when it is already on its peak!

Racing against the machine!

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