BMW Sauber has begun its preparations for the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship by expanding its sponsor portfolio to include Sika as a promotional supplier.

Announced at the Formula BMW World Final, where Mario Theissen, Nick Heidfeld, Sebastian Vettel and Timo Glock are among the people in attendance, Sika is a speciality chemicals company that is also acting as the weekend's 'official partner'.

This will extend into 2008 when Sika will supply the both the team and the BMW Group, which includes BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. It isn't the first time they have joined forces though as Sika they supplied the manufacturer first back in 1985.

“We are very pleased that this longstanding cooperation is now to be taken up by Formula One,” said Theissen. “Sika, like ourselves and the other partners of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, has the same aspiration towards perfection in its own products. Beyond that, it also means we will have another Swiss element in our team.”

“Our corporate goal is to help our customers to generate value added and always to be one step ahead of the competition,” Bruno Fritsche, President Business Unit Industry, Member of Group Management of Sika AGadded. “Working with the BMW Sauber F1 Team fits in perfectly with our corporate philosophy.”