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BMW Sauber have confirmed they will be keeping their current driver line-up next season. Stressing the importance of continuity, the team will retain both Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica for 2008.
Source: F1.com
For Heidfeld, it will mark his third season with BMW Sauber, the 30 year-old German having moved from Williams at the end of 2005. Kubica, meanwhile, made his Formula One debut with BMW in August last year and the Pole, 22, has quickly established himself as one of the brightest talents on the grid.
“Both Nick and Robert have delivered very strong performances in the course of this season,” said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “They have played a decisive role in enabling the BMW Sauber F1 Team to firmly establish itself as the third best team in Formula One.”
With two podium places and 42 points, Heidfeld is currently fifth in the drivers’ championship table and has been a key feature in the impressive level of improvement shown by BMW Sauber this season.
“For me it was always clear that I wanted to continue driving for the BMW Sauber F1 Team, and I never doubted that would be the case,” he commented. “It is tremendous being able to help build up a new team and doing my bit for it.
“When I look at the progress we have made over the last two years, it’s an incredible incentive for me. Personally I have high sporting ambitions and I am certain I can achieve them with the BMW Sauber F1 Team.”
Kubica lies sixth in the standings on 28 points, despite missing the US round following his spectacular crash in Canada, and Theissen has no doubts over his young driver’s potential.
“In his brief Formula One career so far he has established himself as equal to Nick,” he said. “He is extremely fast and, for somebody so young, already has a very sound understanding of technical matters. Robert is a rough diamond we want to polish up into a winning driver.”
Commenting on his contract extension, Kubica added: “I have now been in Formula One for just over one year and have gathered a great deal of experience. Even so, I am learning new things every day and making steady progress.
“We now have to concentrate on achieving our ambitious common goals, and I’m confident that the team will be able to give me all the necessary tools that I need to reward them for their renewed trust.”
BMW Sauber will announce their plans for a test and reserve driver – currently Germany’s Timo Glock – at a later date.
