Theissen backs Heidfeld to fight back

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen has backed Nick Heidfeld to overcome his qualifying troubles

Heidfeld has admitted he is slightly concerned by the fact that teammate Robert Kubica has had the upper hand on him so far this season.

And Theissen has said the team are doing everything they can to help Heidfeld get over his troubles.

"Certainly a year ago he was stronger in qualifying compared to his teammate, that is the basic difference, and we need to figure out what the reasons are and hope to get back there," said Theissen.

"The issue is to set up the car in a way that he really can exploit the full potential over one lap. The race performance has been okay, overtaking is more than okay - as I think he is one of the best if not the best overtaker in the field - so one has to be careful now to really look into the details and cure them, rather than making big changes.

"To me the situation is not too different to what we had with Robert last year. It was quite difficult for him as well. And it is not just about the car, not just about the way he approaches it.

"It is about the entire environment. And we are currently looking into that. I am very confident we will overcome it together."

Theissen has made it clear that his team remain likely to make a decision on their future driver plans over the summer break - even though their options on Heidfeld and Kubica are not believed to expire until September.

"We have a basic guideline which says (we will decide) in the summer break. I cannot say if we postpone it a bit or put it forward, but currently we are aiming at the summer break."