BMW ready to go for victory in Australia

The German squad, third strongest in 2007, had a troubled start to the pre-season with their new car, with balance issues slowing down their progress.

The team, however, have made big progress since then and arrived in Melbourne with high hopes.

BMW's form was confirmed in qualifying today, with Robert Kubica lining up in second pace, only behind the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton. Teammate Nick Heidfeld qualified fifth.

BMW motorsport boss Theissen admits the team are closer than they had predicted, and he is adamant they will go for victory if they get the chance.

"I would be happy with a podium, of course, but we won't hold back. If there's a chance, we will take it," Theissen told reporters in Melbourne.

"I think we are reasonably strong in race trim. We had some good long runs. It all depends on the length of the first stint, (but) I have no idea. I mean, having gone through a season you can normally estimate, but not in the first race with new regulations."

Referring to his comments from Thursday in which he said BMW were targeting a win later in the season, he added: "Well, it is two days later already...

"We'll see. Apparently we are closer than we expected, at least here and today. I don't know when it will happen, but I'm really confident we can do it."

Theissen was also convinced that Kubica had been on pole if not for an error during his final flying lap.

"Absolutely. That (the error) was more than two tenths. It was really great how he managed to keep the car under control. It was possible, it was more than that," he said.