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FAMILY FAVOURITE

April 22 - 28, 2009
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Gulf Weekly FAMILY FAVOURITE

Gulf Weekly Mai Al Khatib-Camille
By Mai Al Khatib-Camille

HOME is where the heart is and as far as rookie Formula One ace Sebastien Buemi is concerned, hoping his success on the track in Bahrain will bring glory to the kingdom.

The Swiss-born 20-year-old lives with his uncle and auntie Humbert and Sylvia Buemi and their young family in Budaiya.

As he prepares for the racing weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit the Toro Roso driver will be supported by his father Antoine and his mother Veronique will be flying into the kingdom today.

"Having my family around me in Bahrain may just give me the edge in the race. Whereas most of the other drivers will be staying in hotels I'll be home surrounded by love and support.

"I want to do well on Sunday, not just for myself and my family but the people of Bahrain as a thank you for making me feel so warm and welcome. This one's for Bahrain!"

Antoine said he was extremely proud of Seb's race track achievements and had a heartfelt message for GulfWeekly readers: "I would like to thank the people of Bahrain for opening their arms to my son and making him feel so welcome."

Proud uncle Humbert, an executive director and senior representative of UBS Bank in Bahrain, has just returned with his brother from China after cheering on Seb to a point-winning eighth place.

Seb now lies in 12th place in the drivers' championship having already picked up three points from the first few races of the season.

His success has not gone to his head, says Humbert. "I would say Sebastien is feeling quite well in his head and is at the top of his health. He is enjoying the fact that he is racing in F1.

"There is a lot more exposure in terms of media, television coverage and press and he is coping extremely well with it.

"The first results have been very encouraging since he finished with points in Melbourne and he could have gained more in Malaysia but for the heavy rain which was one factor that caused him to go off the track.

"The team, however, is very happy with what he has accomplished so far. They are enthusiastic and in all honesty did not expect him to do this well."

As far as his young cousins Frederic, 13, and Steve, 10, who attend the French School of Bahrain, are concerned, Seb is simply Seb ... who enjoys playing football with them in the back garden.

"We make sure he does not get distracted by bright lights, television and the press. It's just the same as always - we know the goal is to do well and stay racing in F1," added Humbert.

"My boys are quite amazed to see so much of him on TV - especially during the Grand Prix weekends. They are really proud and happy about what is happening at the moment.

"Sebastien has his life when he is with the guys in F1 but he has a different life when he is with us in Bahrain or with his parents and brother in Switzerland.

"He knows when he is at the track that he needs to focus and put every ounce of energy into his racing career. But when he is with his family he can unwind. We do a lot of things together as a family.

"He enjoys playing football with the kids in the garden and we go to the gym together in our compound.

"Today will be family fun before he has to get down to the serious business of work tomorrow. He hopes to show the people of the kingdom how special Bahrain is for him."

Humbert's seven-year-old daughter, Laura, is battling against leukaemia and is responding well to treatment. She is also very close to her famous cousin.







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