Press release
Sébastien Buemi
Pursuing its long-established involvement in the field of motor racing, notably including its support for Jarno Trulli and sponsorship of the Tour Auto, the Manufacture Audemars Piguet is delighted to announce its partnership with the promising young Sébastien Buemi who has just turned 20 and is joining the exclusive ranks of Formula 1 racing drivers.
Switzerland has been eagerly awaiting another Formula 1 driver for the past 14 years. Associated with the image of the Manufacture Audemars Piguet, Sébastien Buemi from Canton Vaud will begin the 2009 season in Melbourne on March 29th, at the wheel of a Toro Rosso racing car powered by a Ferrari engine.
In signing the agreement with Sébastien Buemi in Lausanne on February 27th 2009, Audemars Piguet's CEO Philippe Merk stated: “For Audemars Piguet, partnering this young man with a resolutely fighting spirit was an entirely natural choice. He embodies our brand values through the Tradition of a family firmly anchored in the world of motor sports; the Excellence of his career to date; and the Daring he has displayed in reaching the highest level of his discipline”.
After becoming Swiss champion in the mini-category at the age of 9 and then European go-kart champion in 2002, he began racing single-seater cars the following year. Right from the first race in the Formula BMW series, he was noticed by Red Bull who signed a five-year contract with him, leading to a string of impressive results including becoming Formula BMW vice-champion in 2005, Formula 3 vice-champion in 2007 and GP2 Asian series vice-champion in 2008.
His track record is studded with remarkable accomplishments such as the GP2 race at Magny-Cours, the opening event of the French Grand Prix in 2008: having set off from the 21st spot on the starting grid, he pulled off a brilliant victory, the first of his two wins in the 2008 European series. In the previous year, his talent had already propelled him to a spot as the third driver on the F1 Red Bull racing team, at the age of just 18.
On December 22nd 2008, Sébastien Buemi signed his first contract as a full-fledged Formula 1 racing driver, with the Scuderia Toro Rosso. The young man from Canton Vaud still has a long road ahead of him in his attempt to match and even surpass the feats of his illustrious fellow countrymen such as Toulo de Graffenried, Clay Regazzoni and Marc Surer.
Philippe Merk, Sébastien Buemi and Olivier Quillet
Audemars Piguet, a fervent sports enthusiast, is particularly proud to welcome this talented young Formula 1 driver into its circle of ambassadors. He will be wearing the iconic Royal Oak Offshore model, an undisputed benchmark in the field of Prestige sports.
Sébastien Buemi visiting the manufacture
