Theissen confident BMW can keep up

Kubica said over the Monaco Grand Prix weekend that he was worried BMW Sauber's recent failure to challenge for pole positions had suggested that McLaren and Ferrari had edged ahead in the development race.

"I think our team was the most consistent in the first three races, with less problems, and that is why I think we could extract more from the car," said Kubica. "But lately I think we struggled a bit more.

"You just need to look at the results in qualifying and I think the answer is clear - it is harder. I think in the last two races the situation looks more like last year. So the top four cars are a couple of tenths in front and the others are a couple of tenths behind."

But after Kubica's starring role in the Monaco Grand Prix, where he overhauled pole position man Felipe Massa to finish behind race winner Lewis Hamilton, Theissen says he is more optimistic about the situation.

"I think the other two cars were quicker than us here, but it is not a different game," he told autosport.com. "With some tweaks here or there we can be in the running."

Theissen was thrilled by Kubica's performance in the rain-hit Monaco Grand Prix, which keeps both the Pole and his team in contention for the world championship this year.

"I am totally happy," said Theissen. "I am really happy because we could not expect it. It was a very tough race for the drivers as well as the pit wall.

"Robert was one of very few drivers who did not make a mistake. The pit wall was operating very well, we adapted to the weather conditions and to the track conditions and accidents in a perfect way. And finally Robert was close behind the leader."