Abu Dhabi GP: the 70th and last for BMW Sauber

The 17th and final race of the Formula One World Championship will take place on the brand-new Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi. The entire F1 community is eager to experience this new venue on the calendar. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will also be the first time drivers start a race in daylight at dusk and finish it after nightfall.

While the fate of the driver and constructor titles has now been decided, BMW-Sauber can still snatch the sixth place in the constructor’s championship from Williams after overtaking Renault in Brazil for seventh position. The team is only 2.5 points behind Williams.

The final race weekend of 2009 will also bring the curtain down on BMW-Sauber’s involvement in F1. On July 29 of that year, BMW announced it would withdraw from Formula One at the end of the season and sold its team to the Swiss financial group Qadbak Investments. The Swiss entity of the team, Sauber, under the leadership of Peter Sauber, still hopes to be on the grid in 2010. The team will do everything possible to leave Formula One on a high note, even though Mario Theissen and his team can already be proud of their four complete seasons in this form, in Formula One.

Robert Kubica – Racing Driver

I haven’t been to the Abu Dhabi circuit yet. Since we don’t have a simulator, I only know the track through the Internet and some presentations. The track seems very interesting. The facilities and buildings around the circuit appear to be particularly remarkable. However, before completing the first laps on the track with a Formula 1 car, it’s really difficult to judge the circuit itself. But of course, I’ve been in this situation before. In 2008, Valencia and Singapore were new to the calendar. Fortunately, I consider myself a driver who doesn’t need much track time to be up to speed right away. I suppose many cars will be on the track on Friday to understand the circuit and learn as much as possible. I’m really looking forward to it. It will be my last race for this team, but I sincerely hope to see them on the grid again next year.

Nick Heidfeld – Racing Driver

I am very happy to get a taste of summer again and to fly to Abu Dhabi a few days earlier with my family. I am really excited about the new circuit. Everyone who has been there has already described it as an incredible place. I think it’s always nice to discover a new track. I don’t think that not having a simulator is a disadvantage, and in this way, it’s even more exciting to come out of the garage for the first time. It will be a very special race for all of us in the team. So far, I haven’t really felt like saying goodbye. But that will change in Abu Dhabi for sure, and it will probably be quite intense. I sincerely hope that the team will secure a place on the grid for 2010 soon.

Mario Theissen – Team Principal:

We will be traveling to Abu Dhabi with mixed feelings. The eight points we collected in Brazil allowed us to climb up one place in the Constructors’ Championship, and we will be very motivated again for this last race of the season. We are excited to race at this new Formula One venue and to experience the atmosphere at the Yas Marina Circuit. However, there will of course be a good deal of sadness within the team. After all, it will be our 70th and final race with the BMW Sauber team.