Kubica: clamour

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BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen says he is not worried by the thought of rival outfits trying to poach Robert Kubica after the Polish driver's impressive start to the season.

Kubica has scored three podium finishes on his way to a current fourth place in the Drivers' Championship and also scored both his and BMW Sauber's first pole position in Bahrain.

The 23-year-old is out of contract with BMW Sauber at the end of current season, although the team reportedly have a one-year option on their young star that would, if exercised, see him race for them until 2010.

Reports have begun to emerge that other teams are expressing an interest in Kubica, with both Ferrari and Renault rumoured to have already made enquiries.

Form

Given Kubica's form thus far in 2008, BMW Sauber surely look set to retain their prize asset by extending his deal for another year.

And Theissen has implied as much by adding that BMW had expected the kind of clamour currently surrounding Kubica when they first secured his services in 2006.

"No," Theissen told autosport.com when asked if he was worried that other teams would try and poach Kubica.

"When we took him, we expected him to be strong. We'll announce next year's drivers in the summer."

BMW Sauber are thought to have until September to use their option on Kubica.