FBMW: Formula BMW Juniors announced

BMW Motorsport has announced the Formula BMW Juniors who will receive support from the German marque in their rookie seasons in FBMW Europe this year.

The 2010 crop of youngsters brings a number of new countries to the series for 2010, as some of the Juniors receiving support represent Austria, Finland, Poland and Spain.

The first ever Polish driver to race in the series is 18-year-old Maciej Bernacik from Jarocin, who steps up from karting, as does Austrian Marc Aurel Coleselli and Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr and Finlands Petri Suvanto.

Two of the six selected to race in FBMW Europe have prior single-seater experience. American Michael Lewis was the 2009 Rookie Cup winner in Formula BMW Americas, while Dutch racer Robin Frijns won the Rookie Cup in Formula BMW Europe last year and starts 2010 as one of the favourites for the main title.

“Our long-term, international concept to promote juniors is proving its value more and more: this year’s Formula One line-up currently features seven regular drivers who started their professional career in Formula BMW,” said BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen.

“There are no signs of the success ending there: many more Formula BMW graduates caught the eye in Formula One cars at the so-called ‘Formula One Young Driver Days’ in Jerez last December.

“The 2010 Formula BMW Europe and Formula BMW Pacific series will once again see nine promising youngsters from six countries benefit from our established sponsorship programme as ‘Formula BMW Juniors’. This scheme includes financial support and an invitation to participate in our seasonal Education and Coaching Programme.”

“Two of them have already picked up their first titles in international motorsport having been crowned ‘Rookie of the Year’ in last year’s Formula BMW Americas and Formula BMW Europe, the remaining seven stood out from the crowd and impressed the experienced instructors at our scholarship courses. I am certain that this year’s line-up will produce at least one driver who will make it to the top of motorsport over the course of his career – as has been the case with practically every year in the past.”

Watch Formula BMW Europe highlights on Motors TV in 2010.


Andy Wilkinson