BMW pair hope to repeat '06 success

Heidfeld qualified third for the race last year; while Kubica went on to score his maiden Formula One podium.

And with the team comfortably the third fastest in F1, both men see no reason why they cannot do as well this time out.

"I think we'll put in a good performance at Monza," said Heidfeld. "It's a circuit where a good low- downforce package is important, and we're normally pretty strong in that area.

"The other thing you need is bags of engine power, and I think we'll be okay in that department as well.

"We were right up there at Monza in 2006. I was 'only' third in qualifying, but that was with a heavy fuel load. If we had all been carrying the same amount of fuel, I would most likely have been on pole. In the race itself, I still managed to get a point despite having to come in for a drive-through penalty."

Kubica added: "After doing so well at Monza last time around, we're looking forward to racing again at the lowest-downforce circuit of the season.

"I picked up my first podium finish in Formula One here in 2006 and am still waiting for my second. I hope we will be able to reproduce our performance of last year."