Formula BMW World Final returns to Valencia
This will be the second year in succession that the circuit on Spain's Mediterranean coast has hosted the spectacular climax to the Formula BMW season. "The Formula BMW World Final 2006 in Valencia was a big success," recalls BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "The drivers, teams, partners and sponsors were really excited about the event, so we are delighted to be returning to Spain this year. Valencia is a very special place for us, somewhere we always like to go back to. The Team Launch for the BMW Sauber F1 Team took place there at the start of the year, as has Formula One testing. Plus, Valencia is home to the Formula BMW Racing Center, hosts World Touring Car Championship races and formed the backdrop for this year's America's Cup. The Spanish city has become something of a second home for us."
Like Marco Holzer (GER) in 2006, last year's winner Christian Vietoris (GER) will be given the opportunity by the BMW Sauber F1 Team to test one of their Formula One cars on the Thursday before the Formula BMW World Final. As Theissen explains: "Christian has earned this test fair and square. Last year he not only claimed overall victory in Formula BMW Germany, but also fought off the challenge of the 35 best international Formula BMW drivers to win the World Final in impressive style. We are extremely proud to say that Christian is already the fifth Formula BMW graduate to have been given his first Formula One experience by the team."
Now racing in Formula 3, Vietoris is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1 Team car. "This will be a childhood dream come true for me," he beams. "I can hardly wait to finally get to grips with the big brother of the Formula BMW. Fortunately I still have four months to prepare myself for the enormous centrifugal forces that will hit me in the F1 racer."
This year's World Final will once again be complemented by an attractive support program. The successful BMW cars from the brand's multi-category motor sport line-up – such as the BMW 320si WTCC competing in the World Touring Car Championship and the spectacular BMW Z4 M Coupé – will be on show at the track alongside racing legends like the BMW V12 LMR and BMW M3 GTR. Added to which, the BMW Sauber F1 Team – and its BMW Sauber F1.07 car – will play an active part in the weekend beyond Vietoris' test.
2007 will see the third edition of the Formula BMW World Final. The inaugural World Final took place at the Bahrain International Circuit in December 2005, the then 17- year-old Marco Holzer emerging victorious from a field of 34 drivers from 15 different countries. Last year, Christian Vietoris – also 17 at the time – followed in the footsteps of his compatriot to celebrate victory and earn himself the test with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.