Heidfeld wants title battle

Heidfeld: Challenge

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Nick Heidfeld has stated that BMW Sauber's aim for the 2009 Formula One season is to battle for the World Championship.

The German's rationale for making such a bold statement was the "remarkable progress" the team have made since the German manufacturer took control of the Swiss Sauber outfit ahead of the 2006 season.

Last season saw BMW Sauber enjoy their best season to date, with a maiden pole position coming courtesy of Heidfeld's team-mate, Robert Kubica, before the Pole scored their first win in Canada.

Kubica led the Drivers' Championship after the win and stayed in contention until the penultimate race of the season.

The team also led the Constructors' Championship for a while before lessening the development of their F1.08 car during the summer to concentrate on next year's challenger.

2009 brings a raft of changes to F1 governing aerodynamics, the return of slick tyres and the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS).

Heidfeld clearly hopes the combination of the team's early decision to divert resources, plus their progress over the last three seasons, can bring further progress.

"It is too soon (to say what will happen) because everything depends very much on which kind of impact the new rules and regulations will have on each team and car," he told Motorsport.com.

"We have seen many teams getting on the grid with a five-year plan and most of them were forced to lower their goals very soon. Our team obviously is very efficient and made remarkable progress every year.

"The goal for 2009 is clear: we want to be able to get involved in the battle for the Championship."

Difficult

Heidfeld nevertheless re-iterated that the clean sheet of paper afforded by the new rules means it will be even more difficult than usual to establish which teams will have the edge.

"Well, it is a bit too early to talk about the performance," he added. "We have to wait and see how the KERS actually will feel in racing. You get around 80 bhp more on top of the normal engine output.

"I don't think this will let you pass somebody else like a rocket, but it can help. I'm also very happy to have the slick tyres back.

"When the car changes a lot you always have to adapt your driving style in some ways.

"But I'm afraid it is too early to go into too much detail because not every part of the regulations have been finalised yet, and the car and also the tyres will still be changing before the season starts."