Holzer tests 65 laps with the BMW Sauber F1 Team

For Marco Holzer, a dream has come true at the 'Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo' in Spain. On Thursday, he completed 65 laps at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1 Team's Formula One car.

Last year, the 18-year-old won the maiden Formula BMW World Final thereby securing a chance to make his debut in an F1 racer. Holzer took to the track in front of the 37 drivers competing in the 2006 DELL Formula BMW World Final. From 24th to 26th November, the talented young guns, representing the four international Formula BMW Series in Germany, Great Britain, Asia and North America, will be battling it out on the same track to become Holzer's successor.

"This has been a unique experience," said Holzer. "The cornering speeds are amazing, just like the braking forces. From one lap to the next it became more fun, and felt more comfortable. The team gave me a warm welcome, and I got all my questions answered. I say only this to the competitors of this year's World Final: Push hard to win the race, because a Formula One test drive is just an unforgettable adventure."

Holzer, who took third place in the 2006 Formula BMW Germany season, was praised for his test performance by BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: "Marco made a solid impression during his debut at the wheel of a Formula One car. This test has shown him where his racing career may lead him. Marco had a taste of the technological limits and the driving physique, as well of the enormous forces exerted on the drivers in Formula One."

Holzer was not the only driver who was happy about his maiden outing in a BMW Sauber F1 Team car. Alessandro Zanardi, who normally competes for BMW Team Italy-Spain in the FIA World Touring Car Championship, made his first system check in a specially modified car. To enable the leg-amputee to return to the cockpit of an F1 car, the BMW Sauber F1 Team engineers modified the clutch paddle - among other things - on the left rear side of the steering wheel. This can now be used to accelerate the car. On Saturday and Sunday, Zanardi will complete two longer test runs in the support programme of the World Final.