Heidfeld wants early decision on future

"I don't want to wait too long," Heidfeld told reporters in Bahrain. "The earlier the better and I think I am in a good position. I would like to have it sorted out earlier than later."

The German, currently fourth in the drivers' standings, has been linked with the Toyota team in recent weeks, but he says he wants to remain with BMW.

When asked if BMW was his first option, Heidfeld said: "Yes, I like it very much here. We are successful.

"So far it could not have been better, our progress has been fantastic over the last one and a half years," he added. "I hope it will continue like that and to be honest I don't expect it to continue like that in the next couple of years.

"Our goal is to be world champions and we have to be prepared for a setback but in the long term I still hope we can fight for the title in a few years."

Heidfeld was originally announced in 2005 as having a three-year deal, but the last year of his contract is in fact only an option, and BMW seem keen on retaining Robert Kubica and test driver Sebastian Vettel.

Heidfeld has enjoyed a strong start to the 2007 season, and he admits he did not expect his team to be so close to the front of the field.

"We have seen in testing that we have been strong but I didn't think that we would be that good, especially Renault I expected to be stronger," he said.

"They were quite quick in the couple of tests before the first race and I thought they would be difficult to beat.

"The last two races we beat them and so it is definitely better than expected."