Happy Heidfeld targeting podium finish

The BMW-Sauber driver qualified in third place, just behind the McLaren drivers and in front of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Raikkonen's teammate Felipe Massa hit trouble during the session and will start from 14th, boosting Heidfeld's chances of a top three finish tomorrow.

"I am happy about P3, especially as up to now the whole weekend has not been easy," said Heidfeld. "The tyre choice was very hard, but we were not the only ones facing that challenge. Yesterday was quite ok, but today in the second qualifying session we were not on the pace, and I was only in P6.

"Apparently, the soft tyres were the reason. In view of this we decided to go for the hard tyre compound for the last fast lap in the third qualifying session. I think with this the race should not be a problem. I would like to thank the entire team for the fantastic work.

"Third for me means the opportunity for the next podium. This is my goal right now. Generally I consider us as the third force, but Ferrari doesn't seem to be as strong as usual. Felipe Massa starts from a long way down the grid."

Heidfeld's teammate Robert Kubica was unable to match the German's pace today, the Pole having to settle for seventh position.

"The day was not very good," he said. "The car is not accelerating how it should. We lose too much time with every single upshift.

"We now have to analyse the data and see what we can do for tomorrow, which will be difficult as the car is in Parc Ferme right now. Seventh was the best I could do under these conditions."