Neustadt, 16th March 2005 – Chris van der Drift has re-signed with German race team Team Rosberg for a further year. The ‘Dutch’ New Zealander debuted in Europe last year and was crowned Formula BMW ADAC rookie of the year. This year the 19-year old driver hopes to continue this success and aims for the Formula BMW ADAC championship title.

Team owner and former F1 World Champion Keke Rosberg is convinced of the talent of his pupil: “He is a good racer. For his age he has fantastic car control”, team owner Keke Rosberg said. “He’s a rough diamond. None of his talents have yet come to age, but the signs are very, very good. He can become a very good racing driver. Chris van der Drift will be able to fight for the Formula BMW Championship in 2005. We believe he is capable of winning it.”I am happy that we could contract him again despite the difficulty involved in arranging sufficient funding in time.”

The twelve-time kart champion from Hamilton, New Zealand stayed with his parents in Zevenhuizen over the winter. To be ready for the season opener at Hockenheim (16-17 April 2005) Van der Drift has kept in peak physical condition. In his spare time, Chris could be found at the Race Planet indoor karting facility in Delft.

Chris van der Drift: “I am happy that the long winter period is almost over. The season starts soon and my first official test of the season was today (Wednesday 16th) at Hockenheim. I am extremely glad of the support from “Racing Pool” with which I can continue my autosport career at Team Rosberg. The decision to choose this team again was an easy one. Last season we worked together professionally and they have a lot of know-how. As the 2004 rookie champion with eight podium finishes in twenty races I will try to at least equal that performance this season!”