Heidfeld 'bored' with his end of season

The BMW-Sauber driver has become the "best of the rest" behind the McLaren and Ferrari drivers, and he is set to finish in fifth place in the standings, having scored 52 points so far.

Heidfeld is 17 points behind Felipe Massa and 19 ahead of teammate Robert Kubica with four races remaining after having finished in fourth place five times this year.

The German admits his championship situation is making the remaining part of the season quite boring.

"No," said Heidfeld when asked if he was bored of finishing fourth. "But to be honest there is a bit of being bored of the championship from my point of view being decided now.

"I will be fifth in the championship and we will be third in the constructors', no matter what we do from now on.

"That makes it a little more boring. Driving the car it doesn't make much difference but being out of the car before you always thought, if I do a fantastic race now I can win a position.

"But now it doesn't really matter," added Heidfeld, speaking to reporters ahead of the Belgian Grand, where he expects BMW to continue as the third strongest team this weekend.

"Well I think so far this season the outcome has been very clear," he added. "Most of the time we are the third strongest team and there is a gap to the front and a gap to the rear. It was most extreme in Monza.

"And I expect to be third strongest here again, not exactly knowing what to expect, how far behind we are or how far ahead of the guys behind us.

"It is a similar wing package to Canada and Indy where obviously we have been very strong but it is a long time ago and before we came to Monza I hope we were in a position to fight with Ferrari. That was not the case so obviously they have improved and that is why I expect to be the third strongest team here again."

Heidfeld said he has already seen the design of next year's car, with which BMW will be hoping to take another step forward and start fighting for race wins.

The German, however, is staying cautious about his predictions for next season until the car hits the track.

"It looks good, but nowadays in F1 by looking at something you don't know what it will be like," he said.

"But it is good we are able to start so early because hopefully McLaren and Ferrari have to work hard on this year's championship and we don't, which obviously makes it a bit easier to close the gap. That is our goal."