Surprised that we are already that strong as a team this year - Heidfeld

In its second season in Formula One racing, the BMW Sauber Formula 1 Team has already been able to establish itself as the third force. This early success comes as a little surprise even to Nick Heidfeld.

In 10 of 16 Formula One World Championship races so far, the drivers of the BMW Sauber F1 Team managed to finish within the top four. Prior to the last Grand Prix of the year in Brazil, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica have already amassed 94 points, 58 points more than during the entire 2006 season.

Even Heidfeld wouldn't have expected the BMW Sauber F1 Team to celebrate success on such a regular basis in the pinnacle of racing: "I am surprised that we are already that strong as a team this year. However, my own performance doesn't surprise me," says the 30-year-old. He adds: "With a car as strong as ours I could have already been as successful in the past years."

Fifth place in the Drivers' Championship is the best result in Nick's career to date. His team-mate Robert was also able to shine in 2007. According to Nick, the strong performances of the Polish driver are easy to explain: "I'm not the teacher and he isn't the student. We're on the same level and Robert doesn't make the impression of being a newcomer at all."