Sauber Cars to Feature Support Message for Victims in Japan

We're not sure about other teams, but Sauber F1 will show its support for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan during the season opening round of the 2011 Formula 1 Championship, in Australia.

According to the team's official website, the cars of both Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez will feature a special message for the Japanese people, reading “May our prayers reach the people in Japan.” The exact location of the message will be disclosed during the first practice session of the Melbourne event.

Needless to say, out of all the other F1 teams in the paddock, Sauber F1 has the strongest connection to the tragedy in Japan through the only Japanese driver in the 2011 entry list, Kobayashi.

“It is difficult to find the right words to express our emotions and feelings, but silence means we can't even begin to imagine how to try,” said team owner Peter Sauber, who did not say whether the message will be kept for the Malaysian race or not.

“We can hardly believe what we are seeing. Our thoughts are with the people in Japan. We hope they will have the necessary strength to overcome these circumstances of extreme adversity,” added the Swiss official.

Kobayashi also expressed his support for his home people following the tragedy. His family lives in Amagasaki, near Kobe (in the Hyogo Prefecture), pretty far away from the region struck by the tsunami.

“My country has suffered an enormous catastrophe. The news is depressing and I'm very sad,” he said.