Jun.21 (GMM) Nick Heidfeld has rejected suggestions his flagging form in 2008 has made him 'number two' driver to BMW-Sauber teammate Robert Kubica.
Kubica is narrowly leading the drivers' world championship while 31-year-old Heidfeld lags 14 points behind.But the German told Sport Bild: "The situation has not in itself changed anything. There has not been and there still is no number one or number two status."Robert is driving a strong season," Heidfeld explained, "but it pays to have two strong drivers, in case one has problems, and also so that your teammate has a high benchmark."Heidfeld said he is getting to the bottom of his current troubles with the 2008 car."Yes and no," he explained. "The last race was not bad -- my problem is that I cannot bring the car far enough forwards in qualifying."The numbers in the race are still very good," Heidfeld said.