Two strong partners formally forge an alliance: Petronas is to be the premium partner of the new BMW Sauber F1 Team that is gearing up for its debut in the 2006 Formula One World Championship. Today, Thursday, a four-year contract was signed and sealed in Kuala Lumpur, confirming Petronas as the main sponsor through to and including season 2009.

"We are delighted to have such a strong partner for our Formula One project," said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen after the contract signing ceremony in the Petronas Twin Towers. "We are building on a longstanding association between Petronas and the previous Sauber Team. Petronas is a major player above all in Asia, which is a very significant growth market for BMW too."

Rosman Roslan, Head of Petronas Motorsports stated: "Through our relationship with Sauber of more than ten years, Formula One became a powerful platform for Petronas to build a strong global brand in support of our international business expansion. As an extension of our long-standing relationship with Sauber to the new BMW managed team, Petronas is proud to be associated with a globally successful manufacturer and a premium brand. This association with BMW will enable us to further elevate Petronas globally as well as enhance our brand through worldwide exposure as well as worldwide positioning."

Peter Sauber remarked on the occasion of the contract signing in Kuala Lumpur: "The partnership between Petronas and Sauber began in 1995. In the course of time it went far beyond a classic sponsorship and has been outstanding throughout all those years. I am personally delighted that this partnership, which has been so fruitful for both sides, is to continue with the new BMW Sauber F1 Team."