Munich - Formula One team BMW-Sauber Tuesday confirmed Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica as their drivers for next season. The announcement has ended speculation on the future of Heidfeld who had been seeking early confirmation of his role in the team.
The 30-year-old German has enjoyed a strong season this year with a second place in Canada and a third in the Hungarian Grand Prix to help put him fifth in the drivers' standings.
"Both Nick and Robert have delivered very strong performances in the course of this season. They have played a decisive role in enabling the BMW team to firmly establish itself as the third best team in Formula One," BMW team boss Mario Theissen said.
Theissen said Heidfeld's experience was helping to make a substantial contribution to the team's development.
Polish driver Kubica, 22, in his first full season, "has established himself as equal to Nick," Theissen 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. With this strong driver team we are in an excellent position."
Heidfeld has been with BMW since 2005, initially with Williams-BMW, then for the newly-formed BMW-Sauber team which is third in the constructors' standings behind McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari.
He said: "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. 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 team."
