Vietoris gets BMW Sauber F1 test

Christian Vietoris (GER) of Josef Kaufmann Racing is the winner of the DELL Formula BMW World Final. At Valencia's "Circuit de la Comunitat", the 17-year-old beat 35 competitors from across the globe. His team-mate, Josef Král (CZE), finished second, but was disqualified. Therefore, Mika Mäki (FIN/Eifelland Racing) took second place with Stefano Coletti (MON/EuroInternational) coming third.

For Vietoris, this start-finish-victory is the highlight of a sensational season which saw the young gun also celebrate title glory in the Formula BMW Germany. As a reward for his extraordinary performance during the World Final weekend, Vietoris will have the chance to conduct a Formula One test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team in 2007.

"This is a brilliant finish to a perfect weekend," said Vietoris, who had started the race from pole position. "From the first free practice, my car was fantastic. I therefore had the chance to top the qualifying session and win all three heats. In the race, I managed to continue in the same fashion. Quite obviously, I'm now looking forward to the Formula One test. I'm a huge fan of Sebastian Vettel. He has shown what a great career former Formula BMW champions can achieve."

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said: "I'm very proud of this weekend. We have seen exciting racing action on the track. Despite 36 cars taking part in the final race, there were just a few accidents and off-track moments. All the drivers were able to give a great account of what they have learned in Formula BMW. That is especially true for the winner, Christian Vietoris. He has now joined the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg, who started their successful careers in single-seater racing in Formula BMW. I'm convinced that he also has the talent to take the next step."

Vietoris got off to a great start and never lost his lead. His performance was flawless for the entire 18-lap race, and he had soon clinched the most important Formula BMW race of the season. The top three drivers - Vietoris, Král and Coletti - had all competed in the Formula BMW Germany this season. Daniel Morad (CAN/AIM Autosport) was the most successful Formula BMW USA driver in fourth. Crossing the line in fifth position, Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Fortec Motorsport) was the best-placed driver from the Formula BMW Asia. Oliver Turvey (GBR/Team Loctite) took the chequered flag in sixth place, leading the group of drivers from the Formula BMW UK Championship.

Prior to the exciting final race, Alessandro Zanardi (ITA) had made motor racing history once again in the support programme of the DELL Formula World Final. He became the first leg-amputee driver to take to the track at the wheel of a BMW Sauber F1 Team Formula One car. Zanardi thrilled the fans with several spectacular show drives - and set some impressively quick lap times. The technical modifications on the car worked well from the word go, enabling the 41-time Formula One driver to make a great comeback in the pinnacle of motorsports. On Thursday, the winner of last year's World Final, Marco Holzer (GER), enjoyed his opportunity to test with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.