Heidfeld upbeat over Oz chances

Sauber's lead driver Nick Heidfeld says he is confident of repeating a performance similar to last year's fourth place finish in the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne this weekend

The German believes his Petronas-powered Sauber C21 has even more potential than last year's car, with which he went on to score a podium finish with in the Brazilian Grand Prix two races later.

"The new Sauber-Petronas C21 is the best Formula 1 car I have ever driven," said Heidfeld. "Last season we had a very good start to the year in Melbourne, and I like the Albert Park circuit very much.

"We had a great overall result in 2001, and from the test work we have done with the new car during the winter I am confident that we have taken a significant step further forward. We will have a very good chance of defending our fourth position in the constructors' championship in 2002. I am really looking forward to this race," he added.

His new team-mate Felipe Massa will be making his Grand Prix debut this weekend, and the Brazilian will be hoping to emulate his predecessor Kimi Raikkonen's sixth place in the corresponding race last year.

"I have looked forward to this moment for so long," said Massa. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to justify the faith that Peter Sauber and his team have placed in me."