Heidfeld 'excited' about 2007

"I am very excited obviously," admitted Heidfeld during the launch at Valencia. "I have been with the team Sauber before.

"They are good people but with BMW the expectations are higher, motivation is higher, everyone works really hard but with a smile on their face because they want to achieve something.

"Let's see what the season brings, but I am optimistic."

The German driver, in his second consecutive season with the German squad, scored the team's first podium since they took over Sauber, finishing third in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Heidfeld will be partnered by Pole Robert Kubica, who made an impressing debut with the team last year, capturing the spotlight towards the end of the season.

Heidfeld says he is not extra pressure to beat Kubica, despite being the more experienced driver of the two.

"There is always pressure in F1, you are used to that in F3 and F3000, it is nothing new to me," said Heidfeld.

"You just have to focus on what you can do, give it your best shot and work as best you can with the team. You don't have to think about being team leader."

BMW will have Sebastian Vettel and Timo Glock as their test drivers in 2007, and Heidfeld expects them to make an important contribution to the team.

"Definitely. We have seen all of them driving in the past, worked with Timo at Jordan and with Robert last year and Sebastian last year, they are all really quick," he added. "But that is normal in F1, you won't find any slow drivers."