Sauber F1 drivers to show support for Japan

PARIS (AP) - Sauber drivers Kamui Kobayashi of Japan and Sergio Perez of Mexico will carry a message of support for Japan during Formula One's season-opening Melbourne Grand Prix later this month.

The team said Thursday that the message in Japanese will read “may our prayers reach the people in Japan” and be written on the Sauber cars throughout qualifying and the race.

Qualifying for the Melbourne GP starts March 25 with the race two days later.

Team principal Peter Sauber says “our thoughts are with the people in Japan” and “we hope they will have the necessary strength to overcome these circumstances of extreme adversity.”

Several thousand people died in Japan after the earthquake last Friday and an ensuing tsunami.