PETRONAS APPRECIATES ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH BMW

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 31 (Bernama) -- The premium partner of BMW Sauber
Formula One (F1) team, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) said it fully
respects the decision made by the BMW Group to pull out of the F1 championship
at the end of this season.

The national oil company said its involvement in F1 with the BMW Sauber F1
Team had elevated Petronas' brand positioning around the world and resulted in
significant acquisition of knowledge and expertise in technology, as well, as
product development.

"Petronas' involvement in F1 with the BMW Sauber F1 Team has been that of
a strategic partnership, to complement the company's branding and business
marketing objectives through the areas of premium branding efforts," it said in
a statement here Thursday.

The statement was in response to BMW's decision to discontinue its
participation in the championship as the company felt that the significant F1
budget could be used in other areas.

BMW, however, said it would remain involved in other forms of motorsports.

BMW's withdrawal followed Japanese car maker Honda's decision to pull out
ahead of the 2009 season.
-- BERNAMA