Heidfeld sets sights on 100 points for BMW

Heidfeld scored his fifth fourth place finish of the season at Monza, and that, added to Robert Kubica's fifth place, means BMW have 86 points with four races to go.

The result all but secured BMW's third place in the standings as Renault are 48 points behind.

Heidfeld was delighted with his race, despite his strategy being compromised by the safety car.

"The early safety car period helped all those who were on a one stop strategy or wanted to pit," said Heidfeld. "Part of our strategy was to gain advantage over the one-stoppers or late-stoppers during the first stint. This obviously didn't work out because of the safety car.

"Besides this, I had a very good race with perfect pitstops. Now we can start thinking about reaching the magic 100 constructors' points, which would be a great success in what is only our second season."

Kubica was also pleased with the result despite losing time during his pitstops.

"The race was okay for me," said the Pole. "In the first laps when the car was lighter we were really quick, but I think we could have had a better performance when the car was heavy, so perhaps this is something we have to work on. For the pitstop I didn't arrive straight so the car slid down from the jack when the guys were changing the tyres.

"Then after the stop we couldn't get the jack out from under the front wing, so it cost me a lot of time, but fortunately in the end it didn't change anything for the team. After that first stop I was behind Heikki Kovalainen and it was not possible to stay closer than six or seven tenths, as any closer than that and I was losing downforce.

"After the second stop I was in front of him and then I had to get by Nico Rosberg. I had new tyres and a pretty light car, while because of his one stop strategy he was on old tyres, so I went very quickly out of Parabolica, which was not easy after you spend so much time behind someone. However, I braked much later and was able to get by."