Nick Heidfeld refused to be drawn on the fact that his name has been mentioned in connection with a move to McLaren next season, insisting that he was bound to BMW.
The German team recently confirmed both Heidfeld and Robert Kubica in its line-up for 2008 – continuity that team boss Mario Theissen told Crash.net was vital for the team's push to the front – but Heidfeld continues to be mentioned as a possible partner to Lewis Hamilton next season.

While such a tie-up would be somewhat ironic given that the German, like Hamilton a McLaren protégé in his formative years, was passed over in favour of Kimi Raikkonen in 2002, Heidfeld is seen as an ideal team-mate after the internal furore of the past season. He denies that he is a candidate, however.

“I signed [with BMW Sauber] mid-season and I hope that we will beat [McLaren] next year, although it will not be easy,” he told Crash.net while visiting the FBMW World Finals in Valencia, “Officially, I am contracted with BMW for next season and, unfortunately, there is not a lot more to tell you.”

Unlike some of his rivals, Heidfeld appears to acknowledge that he may not always be quickest in a team, but insists that that only spurs him on.

“Usually in F1, you have quick team-mates, otherwise they would not be there,” he smiled, referring to current BMW partner Kubica, “It's definitely more enjoyable - you need the competition.”