PUMA(R) Extends Deal with SAUBER PETRONAS / Drivers of the Swiss Formula One team will wear PUMA race- and footwear

HERZOGENAURACH (Germany) 19th January (ots/PROTEXT) - As anextension to the existing supplier contract between PUMA(R) AGand the SAUBER PETRONAS team, both new SAUBER PETRONAS drivers,Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa, will wear PUMA fireproofracewear and footwear in the 2004 season. It is the first timethat Formula One drivers will be provided with racesuitsentirely designed and produced by PUMA. As last year, PUMA willalso supply all team apparel and footwear, including thefireproof gear and shoes for the refuel team. Further, the PUMA(R) logo will again be featured on the headrest of the SAUBERPETRONAS C23 race car.

SAUBER PETRONAS driver Giancarlo Fisichella states: "Sincethe right gear is an important factor in motorsport, I am morethan happy to wear PUMA racewear and footwear on track. PUMA notonly has extensive experience with high-perfomance motorsportwear, but also nicely combines quality and functionality withfashionable design."

"We are delighted to extend the contract with SAUBER PETRONASand continue the good partnership," says Andrew McPhail, SeniorManager of PUMA Motorsport. "It is a pleasure to work with sucha professional and successful team that has achieved someimpressive results in its long Formula 1 history. With the new,modern wind tunnel to test the cars and Fisichella and Massa asdrivers, SAUBER PETRONAS will certainly be a force to contendwith this season."

SAUBER PETRONAS is an international Formula One team, locatedin Hinwil, Switzerland, where Peter Sauber founded his companyback in 1970. The team's highlights were the 1-2-victory 1989 atthe 24 hours of Le Mans, the back-to- back sportscar WorldChampionship Titles 1989 and 1990 and the 4th place in the 2001Formula One Constructors' Championship. Amongst the successfulSauber junior drivers were Michael Schumacher and Heinz-HaraldFrentzen.

PUMA(R) performance racing shoes were first used by variousdrivers and teams in the 1970s and early 1980s. And since 1998PUMA's motorsport division has gradually assembled an impressiveportfolio of sponsorships. In the 2004 season PUMA will be theofficial supplier of racing gear in several motorsportdisciplines such as Formula One, F 3000, motocross, WRC etc.

PUMA(R) is the global athletic brand that successfully fusesinfluences from sport, lifestyle and fashion. PUMA's uniqueindustry perspective delivers the unexpected in sportlifestylefootwear, apparel and accessories, through technical innovationand revolutionary design. Established in Herzogenaurach, Germanyin 1948, PUMA distributes products in over 80 countries. Forfurther information please visit www.puma.com.

Contact: Ulf Santjer Corporate Communications PUMA AG +499132 81 2489 ulf.santjer@puma.com

Tina Heinlein Corporate Communications PUMA AG +49 9132 812561 tina.heinlein@puma.com

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