Heidfeld says BMW now back on track

The Hinwil-based team's 2008 challenger was beset by balance problems in early testing but the introduction of new parts has helped overcome many of the difficulties Heidfeld and teammate Robert Kubica faced.

And with the team once again emerging as the consistent closest challenger to the front-running McLaren and Ferrari teams in testing, Heidfeld thinks they can return their sights to taking that first win.

However, he thinks the ambition will only be realised in the long term as he predicts a tough start to the campaign.

When asked by autosport.com if he felt the improvements to the F1.08 had now made it a winning car, he said: "Not yet. Our target is to win a race, but the car is not ideal at the moment.

"So it might be difficult to win race in the beginning of the season. But it will be better after that."

Heidfeld thinks that mechanical and aerodynamic improvements have finally made the F1.08 better than its predecessor.

"I said (originally) this year's car was not better than the old car, but now we have some new parts and have found a new set-up on the car, obviously it is better than the old car now."

Teammate Robert Kubica was less direct in his optimism for the season ahead, but still felt the team's position was better than it appeared from the outside.

"I think there is still a problem, but the car is better - and I think overall it is better going than it looks from the outside," he said.

"We know where the problems come from and we need time to fix them. The general balance of the car is changing and it is not easy to drive it, but it is not as bad as it was.

"We will do our best to be ready for Melbourne, because the tests in Valencia in the middle of January showed that we were not where we expected to be with the new car."