Five days till the F1.09 roll out. Why Valencia?

By BMW Sauber F1 Team
January 15 2009

Valencia is not only a booming metropolis and a much-favoured destination for tourists from across the world. The city is also closely aligned with the BMW brand. The BMW Sauber F1 Team annually returns to the Mediterranean coastline for the roll-out of its new cars.

During the 2008 season the BMW Sauber F1 Team again recorded countless test kilometres at the "Circuit de la Comunitat", situated in close proximity to the local airport. It will be the fourth time for the squad from Munich and Hinwil to undertake its first systems tests with the new car on the 4.005-kilometre circuit.

"We have built up a very close relationship with Valencia," confirms BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "However, our relationship runs deeper: the Formula BMW Racing Center, where we school the young competitors in our entry level Formula BMW series, is based there. In the past, Valencia has twice hosted the Formula BMW World Final. In addition, the World Touring Car Championship features a round at the circuit. The city is a real Mecca for sailing, and in 2007 the BMW ORACLE Racing team was based there."

With its 800,000 inhabitants, Valencia is Spain's third-largest city. However, it has no need to take a backseat to either Madrid or Barcelona when it comes to organising world class sporting events. Quite the contrary, in fact: with the European Grand Prix on the street circuit running through the city's harbour front, Valencia is certainly setting itself apart from those two well-known metropolises.

The particular charm of this city is omnipresent. Modern buildings such as "Ciudad de les Artes y las Ciencias" carry the signature of one of the city's most famous sons, the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. Simultaneously, the beauty of historic Valencia is difficult to surpass, and it has been sympathetically restored in the recent past. Nick Heidfeld appreciates this mix of old and new. "The historic quarter and the futuristic buildings in Valencia present fascinating contrasts," believes the 31-year-old driver. "I can also recommend shopping and eating in Valencia. I really enjoy Spanish cuisine."

Willy Rampf, Technical Coordinator of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, too finds Valencia's atmosphere very special. "The city has so much to offer, and is even more massive than Barcelona," he says.