Heidfeld ready for 'greatest opportunity'.

Newly-confirmed Williams-BMW race driver Nick Heidfeld has admitted that he is ready to seize what he terms the 'greatest opportunity' of his career with both hands.

The German, who got the nod over test driver Antonio Pizzonia for the seat alongside Mark Webber in 2005, knows that racing for Williams and BMW represents a step up in performance over previous employers, and gives him the chance to fight for victories rather than merely point-scoring positions.

"I really wanted this job - driving for the BMW WilliamsF1 team is the greatest opportunity of my career," Heidfeld admitted, moments after the team's decision had been conveyed to him, "I will do everything I can to show that I deserve this place, and I'm already counting the days to the first grand prix."

The closest Heidfeld has come to winning a race since graduating as FIA F3000 champion in 1999 was taking a podium finish for Sauber in the 2001 Brazilian Grand Prix, and a move to Jordan for 2004 failed to yield the same sort of results. Whilst the team clearly marked itself out as an under-funded backmarker, however, Heidfeld's performances behind the wheel raised his own personal stock, leading to speculation that he may be drafted in a replacement for the injured Ralf Schumacher at Williams in mid-season.

Ironically, had Jordan sanctioned the move - which fell through in a wrangle over compensation payments - Heidfeld would have gained an early headstart over Pizzonia, who eventually took over the seat from the ineffective Marc Gene. As it was, Pizzonia appeared favourite to replace the departing Schumacher in the 2005 line-up, until BMW reminded Williams of Heidfeld's potential. When BAR's Anthony Davidson fell out of the reckoning, it became a direct shoot-out between the two young hopefuls.

"'Racing' against Antonio was a lot of fun," Heidfeld admitted, "He's a great team-mate and I respect him."

The German also revealed that, had their positions been reversed, he would happily have taken on the role of test driver with Williams, instead of attempting to find a race drive at one of the few teams with seats remaining.