Nick Heidfeld

The Hinwil-based team's 2008 contender, the F1.08, has placed second in both Grand Prix so far this season, and in Malaysia team-mate Robert Kubica's race pace was better than the McLarens.

But German driver Heidfeld told the news agency SID that BMW is still not on the level of the top two teams, including Ferrari, which was beaten by BMW in Australia last month.

"Taking one step after the other has worked for us so far," he said, referring to BMW's steady progress since taking over the Sauber team in 2006.

"Our goal for the current season remains unchanged. We want to be in the fight for the world championship in 2009," he explained. 

BMW, however, does hope to win its first race some time in 2008, but Heidfeld insists that achieving this goal would not automatically be enough to become considered a title challenger.

"Whoever is in the championship battle must be in a position to win races regularly. We have not arrived there yet," he said. Source: GMM