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Formula BMW – The stepping stone to F1

Close-fought racing is one of the trademarks of Formula BMW

Sebastian Vettel, Timo Glock, Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil and Christian Klien are just a few of the current Formula 1 drivers that have passed through the ranks of Formula BMW on their way to the pinnacle of motor racing.

Just like Castrol’s long standing association with all things racing, BMW has a long history of promoting junior drivers through the ranks of motorsport. In fact the Bavarian marque's association with racing dates as far back as the 1930’s, when it scored victories on both two wheels and four in the Isle of Man TT and the Mille Miglia.
By the end of the 1970’s BMW had established its ‘junior support programme’ which was causing a stir on the international racing scene, in particular Formula 2. Young drivers like Eddie Cheever, Marc Surer, Manfred Winkelhock and Bruno Giacomelli were among the first to benefit from BMW’s support, and by the late 1970’s BMW had set its sights firmly on getting a BMW backed driver into Formula 1.

However, aspirations of Formula 1 and success in Formula 2 were not the only places BMW was making waves. With the introduction of the ‘Neue Klasse’ lineup of cars in 1962, BMW had become one of the most successful manufacturers in touring cars.

More recently, in 1991 BMW began working with the German automobile association ADAC to promote new talent into German single-seater racing. The result was the BMW ADAC Formula Junior Cup which became the basis for Formula BMW.

A Formula BMW car and a 2008 BMW F1 car
International format

After the inaugural Formula BMW Germany season in 2002, the Formula BMW concept spread to Asia in 2003, and one year later the Formula BMW UK and Formula BMW USA Championships began, thereby establishing the largest international entry-level racing series in the world.

The 2008 season marked a further milestone in the history of BMW’s backing of junior racing. Formula BMW UK and Formula BMW Germany became Formula BMW Europe, while Formula BMW USA became Formula BMW Americas, and Formula BMW Asia changed its name to Formula BMW Pacific.

Since 2005, the highlight of each Formula BMW season has been the Formula BMW World Final. Using the same cars raced in the three regional championships, drivers compete at the Barahin International Circuit for the ultimate prize of a test drive with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

With 21 race weekends in 14 countries over 3 continents, it is now the largest international, entry-level racing series in the world, and it's backed all the way by Castrol.

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