Kubica and Heidfeld confident of staying in F1

BMW-Sauber drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld expect to stay in Formula One next year despite BMW's decision to quit the sport.

"I feel as confident as before," 32-year-old German Heidfeld, who has started 163 races without winning any of them, told reporters at the European Grand Prix earlier this week.

"It was not certain that I would be with BMW next year, so I was already in talks with other teams before the decision was made public.

"Of course, that (the talks) has become more intensive now over the last couple of weeks and yes, I am confident for my future.

"We are in talks with several teams and I think it is looking good."

Formula One will welcome three new teams on the starting grid next year and there is also expected to be considerable movement on the driver market after little change at the end of 2008.

Kubica, a race winner with BMW-Sauber in Canada last year, will be highly sought after and he sounded unconcerned about his prospects.

"I think there are a few opportunities, but everybody was on holiday so we will start working," said the Pole, who revealed that he had not known about BMW's decision to pull out until he read reports on the Internet.

"I am pretty confident that I will find the right place to be next year. Of course it's difficult to know which car will be the best and where to go, but hopefully I will be in a competitive car next season."