Ferrari 'respect' BMW Sauber's challenge

The German squad won their first Formula One race thanks to Robert Kubica, who led teammate Nick Heidfeld in a historic one-two for the Hinwil-based squad.

The result allowed Kubica to take the championship lead, while BMW moved within just three points of Ferrari in the constructors' standings.

And although the German team have insisted it is too early to starting of the championship and reckon that Ferrari and McLaren are still ahead, Domenicali reckons the points situation has to be taken seriously.

"Pragmatically we have to look at the championship points," said Domenicali. "They are there, three points less than us if I don't remember wrongly, and Kubica is leading so we need to respect them and we will do so.

"Kubica drove a great race I'm delighted to say. Fantastic but we will see in France."

Domenicali admitted the results in the last two races - where Ferrari were strong but failed to turn their form into results - have left them disappointed, but the Italian is adamant his team will fight back.

"It's very disappointing to collect the points that we collected in the last two races given the way that we prepared for them. So we are really looking forward to reacting in the right way and the spirit of the team, I can assure you, is that one," he said.

"We have prepared these two races in a great way, I have to say, nothing to say to the team, and we took less points than last year.

"We know that the competitors are strong, no doubt, but the championship is long and we will see. We will fight until the end.