BMW confirm place among big boys

MELBOURNE, Mar 17 (Reuters) Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica confirmed BMW Sauber's standing among the higher echelons of Formula One teams with a resounding performance in today's qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.

Eager to be recognised as viable title threats alongside Ferrari, McLaren and Renault, the team produced its finest qualifying session to date with German Heidfeld finishing third and Pole Kubica a worthy fifth after he narrowly missed the chance to run a final quick lap on new tyres.

The outcome sandwiched Heidfeld between the two McLarens of world champion Fernando Alonso and rookie Lewis Hamilton while Kubica showed a clean pair of heels to both Renaults and the admittedly gearbox-troubled Ferrari of Felipe Massa.

But Heidfeld was ecstatic that the fruits of the team's hard work over the close season had borne fruit so quickly.

''It very clearly is a fantastic result for us to be third,'' said Heidfeld, who finished third fastest in qualifying for the fourth time in his career.

''It is the way we hoped it would turn out after testing (in the winter), but I didn't expect to be here now in third position. I was sure we could make it into the top 10, but maybe fifth or sixth.

''My view is that Ferrari are still ahead, we thought that before we came here, but I am a bit surprised Renault was not a bit quicker today, I expected them to be there as well,'' the German added.

The 22-year-old Kubica rued his missed opportunity at the end of qualifying but was still happy to be on the third row.

''Fifth place with our strategy is a good starting point.

I'm in the fight, to finish third would be good.'' REUTERS SAM RK1505