BMW line-up unchanged

Unchanged line-up: Kubica and Heidfeld

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BMW Sauber have confirmed that they will retain drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld for 2009.

Kubica was always assured of his seat after a season which has seen him emerge as a World Championship contender.

After scoring both his and the team's first victory in June's Canadian Grand Prix, the Pole briefly led the Drivers' Championship.

Kubica, who also claimed pole position in the Bahrain Grand Prix, currently lies third in the standings with 64 points and still has an outside chance of winning the title.

Although Heidfeld has been less successful than his team-mate this season, struggling in particular to match Kubica's qualifying pace, the consistent German has nevertheless managed to pick up four second-place finishes.

He currently stands fifth in the drivers' standings with 56 points.

The team also confirmed that Christian Klien will stay on as test driver.

"We see Nick and Robert as a strong driver pairing and Christian as an experienced test driver," BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said.

"We are in no doubt that we will again achieve our ambitious aims with them in the team's fourth year."

Monday's announcement will also end speculation which had linked double World Champion Fernando Alonso with a seat at the team for next season.