Marco Holzer to test the BMW Sauber F1.06

For Marco Holzer a dream is about to come true. On 23rd November the 18-year-old will be taking the BMW Sauber F1.06 out on a test drive at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. Holzer has been granted the day's testing in motorsport's top echelon for winning the 2005 Formula BMW World Final in Bahrain. This is where the world's best drivers in the four international Formula BMW series pit their skills against one another.

The young man from Bobingen in Bavaria came out on top against 34 competitors on the Bahrain International Circuit. "This Formula One test is the greatest thing that could happen to me. Now it's a question of preparing myself for the huge forces that come into play in a Formula One car," says Holzer.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: "Marco Holzer has furnished plenty of proof of his potential in Formula BMW Germany. He has earned this test drive with his convincing victory in the 2005 Formula BMW World Final in Bahrain. For Marco this test is an opportunity to familiarise himself with the incredible dynamics of a Formula One vehicle."

One person who knows how a Formula One test can boost your career prospects is Formula BMW graduate Sebastian Vettel: "A test in a Formula One car shows a young driver the potential road ahead. The first fast lap is an experience you will never forget," declares the BMW Sauber F1 Team's Friday driver.

After Nico Rosberg (GER), Ho-Pin Tung (CHN) and Sebastian Vettel (GER), Marco Holzer will be the fourth Formula BMW graduate to test a BMW Formula One car.

At the 2006 DELL Formula BMW World Final, which will take place from 24th to 26th November at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, the young talents from the Formula BMW series in Asia, Britain, North America and Germany will again be vying for prize money totalling 60,000 US dollars as well as a main prize that money can't buy: this year once again the winner's reward will be a Formula One test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class for Formula racing. In 2006 the series is being held in Germany, Britain, Asia and North America. It gives aspiring drivers as young as 15 a chance to embark on motor racing with the state-of-the-art standard FB02 car.