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BMW Sauber Celebrates 50th MINI Anniversary in Monaco

BMW Sauber Formula One will use their F1.09s to congratulate MINI on their 50th anniversary. As announced in a press release by the Hinwil based team, the livery for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix will undergo a few changes in order to mark the event.

The engine cover of both Nick Heidfeld's and Robert Kubica's F1.09s will be branded with the “Happy Birthday MINI” logo, while the rear wing will read “MINI turns 50”.

As announced by the press release, “more than 15,000 MINI enthusiasts are celebrating the MINI United Festival 2009 in Silverstone (Great Britain), at the same time.” The event will consist of plenty of MINI Challenge races, as well as a competition with historical MINIs (1964 Monte Carlo Rally winner).

It would have been even more rewarding for the MINI fans if the two BMWs wearing the “Happy Birthday MINI” logos had been front-runners in the aforementioned grand prix. From the looks of the Thursday action, however, it seems it will again be a tumultuous weekend for the German outfit.

During the first practice session, both BMW drivers finished almost 1.5 seconds off the pace (from leader Rubens Barrichello) and ended the morning in 16th and 17th place, while P2 only saw Nick Heidfeld running a normal programme with his F1.09. He ended the session in 17th place, while Kubica had to pay tribute to an engine blow in the early laps, eventually staying in the garage for the remainder of the 90-minute meeting.

Formula One action on the streets of Monte Carlo will resume on Saturday, with Practice Session 3 scheduled at 11 A.M., local time. Rain is not expected at Monte Carlo during the course of this weekend.
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