BMW to stick with Heidfeld and Kubica

BMW Sauber have decided to stick with existing drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld for next season's Formula One campaign, the team announced yesterday.

"BMW Sauber has opted for continuity," the team said, adding that Austrian Christian Klein would also stay on as their test driver.

BMW were previously reported to have been interested in replacing Heidfeld with Fernando Alonso. However, Alonso said his "first priority" would be to stay with his current team Renault.

Kubica is third in the drivers' standings, 13 points behind second-placed Ferrari driver Felipe Massa and 20 points behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.

Heidfeld is in fifth place, eight points behind his BMW team-mate.