BMW Sauber have confirmed that they are retaining both Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica for the 2009 season, with Christian Klien staying as their test driver.
“We see Nick and Robert as a strong driver pairing and Christian as an experienced test driver,” Mario Theissen explained. “We are in no doubt that we will again achieve our ambitious aims with them in the team’s fourth year.”
The announcement ends speculation that the team were considering not renewing Heidfeld s contract thanks to a less than spectacular season, and rumours that Fernando Alonso was looking for a possible move to the team.
The news means that Heidfeld will remain with BMW Sauber for the fourth consecutive year in a row.
“I’m very pleased about this announcement and about the confidence that the team have shown in me,” Heidfeld said. “I’ve always said that I was happy to stay with BMW Sauber because we’ve managed to achieve what we set out to do at this stage and I really hope that we will be battling it out for the title itself next year.
“There have been times this season when neither I nor the team could honestly say that we were satisfied with the way things were going, but we have always pulled together and come through.”
With Heidfeld confirmed at BMW, it seems to be odds on that Alonso will remain with Renault as his only other option for a 2009 race-seat would be with the Honda team.
