Heidfeld to have back checked today

Nick Heidfeld says he will have his back checked ahead of tomorrow's qualifying for the French Grand Prix

The BMW Sauber driver was forced to cut his running short in this afternoon's practice session after feeling back pains that had reappeared in last week's test at Silverstone.

Heidfeld will undergo further checks today as a precaution.

"The practice sessions have been okay so far and, anyway, I like driving on this circuit," said Heidfeld, who finished the afternoon session in 18th position.. "I stopped early because I wanted to save my back.

"Last week at the Silverstone test I had some problems. I can still feel it and as a precaution I want to have it checked today."

Teammate Robert Kubica returned to Formula One action today following his crash in Montreal, the Pole happy to be back behind the wheel.

Kubica reckons, however, that there is still work to be done after setting the 12th fastest time.

"After starting the day with some steering problems, which meant missing the first hour of running, everything went smoothly this afternoon," he said. "We have nearly completed our programme with quite a lot of set-up work.

"I am happy to be back in the car, we have to work for tomorrow, but generally the car's balance is not too bad."