Heidfeld – I’m not Kubica’s no.2

(GMM) Nick Heidfeld has rejected suggestions his flagging form in 2008 has made him 'number two' driver to BMW-Sauber teammate Robert Kubica.

Kubica is narrowly leading the drivers' world championship while 31-year-old Heidfeld lags 14 points behind.

But the German told Sport Bild: "The situation has not in itself changed anything. There has not been and there still is no number one or number two status.

"Robert is driving a strong season," Heidfeld explained, "but it pays to have two strong drivers, in case one has problems, and also so that your teammate has a high benchmark."

Heidfeld said he is getting to the bottom of his current troubles with the 2008 car.

"Yes and no," he explained. "The last race was not bad — my problem is that I cannot bring the car far enough forwards in qualifying.

"The numbers in the race are still very good," Heidfeld said.