BMW proud to be a top team now

A jubilant Robert Kubica has hailed his victory in the Canadian GP as proof that BMW are now a 'top team' in F1. The Pole secured his – and his team's – maiden win in the sport by taking full advantage of Lewis Hamilton's race-ending crash with Kimi Raikkonen. Although mindful that he probably would not have won but for that incident, Kubica pointed to his status at the head of the drivers' championship as confirmation that BMW should now be regarded in the same esteem as both McLaren and Ferrari.

"I think when you are leading the world championship after seven races as a driver, you have a car that can win races and can fight for top positions, so if a team can build a top car, it's a top team. That's very clear, I think," he stressed.

It was an argument echoed by team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who finished in second place, during the post-race press conference. "We've been leading the constructors' championship earlier this season, now Robert is leading the world drivers' championship, so we must be a top team by now," the German maintained. "I think McLaren and Ferrari have made a couple of mistakes this year, they messed up their race here, but nevertheless it also takes a top team and good drivers not to make those mistakes."

By winning in Montreal, Kubica has become the first driver since Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 to lead the standings while not in the employment of either McLaren, Ferrari or Renault. skysports.com