Heidfeld keeps his feet on the ground

Heidfeld, who stays with the Swiss team for a second season in 2002, says Sauber's best hope for the year is repeating its fourth place in the constructors' championship.

"I don't think it's possible to break into the top three teams," he said. "Our goal is to stay in fourth position, which will be tough enough. There are more big teams coming and there are other teams that, on paper, should be stronger."

Heidfeld has welcomed new team-mate Felipe Massa into the team, and is expecting the same input from him as his partner of 2001, Kimi Raikkonen.

"The most important thing is that he's fast, he understands the car and that he works together with the team to push us forwards," he said. "It doesn't matter if you are Finnish or Brazilian or whatever. In testing he has been very strong so, for sure, he's quick."

The German, who finished seventh in last year's world championship, says he has put behind him the episode of being overlooked by McLaren in favour of Raikkonen.

"It doesn't bother me really," he said. "That was a long time ago. I'm very happy here with Sauber, but obviously my goal is still to go to a top team one day and win the world championship."