Heidfeld delighted to stay at BMW

The 31-year-old's contract was expiring at the end of this year and the team had delayed a decision on who would fill the second seat alongside Robert Kubica, with Fernando Alonso linked with a possible move there.

All speculation came to an end on Monday, however, when BMW confirmed an unchanged line-up for 2009.

Heidfeld will be competing in his fourth consecutive season with the Hinwil-based squad, and the German admitted he was delighted that BMW had decided to retain him.

"I'm very pleased about this announcement and about the confidence that the team have shown in me," said Heidfeld.

"I've always said that I was happy to stay with BMW Sauber because we've managed to achieve what we set out to do at this stage and I really hope that we will be battling it out for the title itself next year.

"There have been times this season when neither I nor the team could honestly say that we were satisfied with the way things were going, but we have always pulled together and come through."

Heidfeld is currently in fifth place in the standings, having scored 56 points so far.