Heidfeld: BMW exceeding expectations

The German squad finished a distant fifth in last year's constructors' championship and aimed to be in the top four this season.

However, the Hinwil-based squad have exceeded their own expectations, becoming the third best team behind Ferrari and McLaren. BMW have already scored 20 points more than in all of last season.

"We have exceeded expectations," said Heidfeld. "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."

The German driver believes BMW will continue making progress, and reckons it's just a matter of time before the team reach the top.

"I hope it's just a matter of time," 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."

Heidfeld, currently fifth in the drivers' standings, also made clear that he is not worried about not having a contract for 2008 yet.

"Not especially, I've been through far tougher times. I'm not concerned about the situation," he said.