Sauber Aim to Defend Fourth Place

Team boss Peter Sauber predicted on Friday that his team can win "their own championship" again this season by finishing fourth in the manufacturers' standings.

The Swiss-based minnows shocked Formula One by ending fourth last season ahead of the likes of Jordan, Jaguar, Benetton-Renault and BAR. Now Sauber believes his team can retain their 'midfield crown'.

"What have Ferrari and Sauber got in common? We are the only teams who reached their maximum last season," said Sauber during the launch of the C21 in Zurich. "We will try to do the same again this season and finish fourth. We are now on a level which we can feel proud. We will do everything to consolidate on results."

The team boss will have German Nick Heidfeld and Brazilian Felipe Massa as his two drivers for the new season, but ruled out any prospect of the pair winning races. Heidfeld and young Finn Kimi Raikkonen helped the team to fourth last year despite only one podium finish - scored by the German in Brazil - and Sauber insisted his team do not have the strength to challenge for victories.

"I am always a realist," Sauber added. "You need strength to win races. We can win chaos races but we can't think of doing it on merit."

Heidfeld, 24, was delighted with the first roll-out of the C21, which is 80 per cent new compared to last year's car, and said he is confident of defending fourth place.

"The roll out was very good," Heidfeld said. "I need to get used to car, but it feels easier to drive and more comfortable. I would love to finish in the first three again this season, but it is too early to say. But you can never-say-never. We will defend fourth place in the Championship and perhaps we can win in chaos races."