Formula One news

BMW to test rookies in December

The BMW-Sauber team will be running America's Alexander Rossi and Mexico's Esteban Gutiérrez in test sessions this December. Although the manufacturer announced its withdrawal from Formula One on Wednesday, the marque is keen to continue promoting itself as a talent spotter.

Although its Formula One project may be terminating at the end of 2009, BMW will continue to run its one-make junior formulae single-seater series in 2010. The Bavarian company has also announced that its F1.09 cars, driven this year by Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, will be piloted by young driver programme members Rossi and Gutiérrez; the paring will be behind the wheel in Jerez from Tuesday 1 until Thursday 3 December.

Dr Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport director

"Despite having announced our exit from Formula One this week, we will honour our commitments to young drivers in Formula BMW," said BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen. "Thus we are looking forward to granting another two Formula BMW graduates the opportunity of gathering experience in a Formula One car.

"Alexander Rossi earned the chance by winning the Formula BMW World Final last year, becoming the first US American to do so. Esteban Gutiérrez won the Rookie of the Year award in the 2007 Formula BMW Americas series and won the overall championship in Formula BMW Europe last year against stiff opposition."

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