Formula One news

Heidfeld warns Ferrari and McLaren

Nick Heidfeld has fired a warning shot at Ferrari and McLaren - telling them that BMW Sauber will soon be able to compete with them on an even keel. The Hinwil-based team has firmly established itself as the third best team this season but its German driver believes that the intense rivalry between Ferrari and McLaren is set to become a three-way battle.

"We already had a good group of people on board, but now we also have the resources of a leading team," the German said.

"We've brought in 150 new people at our Hinwil base, the wind tunnel is in use around the clock, we are better equipped at the race track, and a programme of expansion is under way at the factory in Hinwil. It's something of a building site at the moment, but the work will be completed by the end of the year."

Carmaker BMW took over Sauber at the end of 2005 and has quickly adapted to its new setup, already scoring 20 more points than it did the whole of last season. The German manufacturer has embarrassed rival companies Honda and Toyota with its quick and efficient progress at the pinnacle of motorsport and Heidfeld is proud to be a part of it.

He said: "The F1.07 is, in effect, the first genuine BMW Sauber. Even more experience and resources will go into next year's car. We are heading in a positive direction. This team has given me the big chance I have been waiting for, for such a long time.

"We have exceeded expectations. I was sure that we would step up a level in our second season on the grid. Having said that, we finished fifth in the constructors' standings last year - 50 points off fourth place - and there was no way I could have expected us to be the third-best team already."

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