BMW contracts Nick Heidfeld from 2006.

Munich, 16 September 2005. BMW and Nick Heidfeld will embark on a joint
future in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 2006. The Munich
automobile manufacturer has concluded a three-year contract with the
racing driver from Mönchengladbach (28). This fills the first
cockpit in the new team run by BMW. BMW Motorsport Director Mario
Theissen comments: "For us, a new era in Formula 1 will begin on 1
January 2006 when BMW takes over the team operated by Peter Sauber. We
are very pleased that Nick will be with us in what will undoubtedly be
a difficult initial phase. He is not simply a fast and courageous
driver, he is also an analytical and meticulous worker. Nick already
knows the two sites in Munich and Hinwil, and is familiar with
everybody involved." Heidfeld, who is currently recovering from a
cycling accident in his adopted home of Switzerland, said: "I'm
really looking forward to the future. As far as I'm concerned, this
represents the fulfilment of a big dream. I have a great deal of
respect for the work carried out in Hinwil from 2001 to 2003. And for
nearly a year now, I've experienced at first hand the commitment and
resources BMW puts into its Formula 1 project. Naturally, I'm not
expecting a miracle during the first season after a new start in 2006.
But I'm confident that the new team will be successful over the long
term." Heidfeld has been lining up on the grid for the BMW
WilliamsF1 Team since 2005. He achieved his first F1 pole position in
May at the Nürburgring and took second place in two races (Monaco
and Nürburgring). On 22 June 2005, BMW announced it would be
running its own Formula 1 team from 2006 after acquiring a majority
holding in the Swiss team Sauber. BMW has been racing in Formula 1 as
partner of WilliamsF1 since the 2000 season. The team has now competed
in 101 grands prix, achieved 10 victories and 17 pole positions. Second
place in the Constructors' Championship for 2002 and 2003 provided the
best season's result. The Sauber Team has been operating in Formula 1
since 1993. The team became established as the most successful private
team when it took fourth place in the Constructors' Championship in
2001. BMW will not only retain the Hinwil site, it will expand the
workforce from a current headcount of nearly 300 to some 400 employees.
Around 300 people are working on the Formula 1 project at BMW
Motorsport in Munich. Theissen explains: "Overall, we will have a
team numbering around 700. Expansion of the aerodynamic department in
Hinwil has top priority. At present, it isn't possible to fully exploit
the opportunities offered by the first-class wind tunnel, because there
are not the personnel to operate several shifts. We are gradually
working towards using the facility round the clock." Press
Contact: Jörg Kottmeier, BMW Motorsport Communication,
joerg.kottmeier@bmw.de Tel.: +49 (0) 89 - 382 27563, +49 (0) 170 5666 112