Renault Confident of Catching Bmw Sauber

Giancarlo Fisichella is confident that the French Renault Thirdly off BMW in the constructors' championship this season the championship. Although the French team registered for the 2007 season with the intention of retaining both World titles, a tough first half saw the Renault's target revised to catching BMW for third place. "It's fair to say that the last two races were a bit disappointing, all the more so because our house races," said Fisi. "We knew it would be a tough battle with BMW: all teams are making progress, and our challenge is, faster than they do to move forward and try to close the gap in the championship." Fisi is confident that Renault is heading the right way, and that's just a matter of time before the third out of their German rivals. "We're going in the right direction, and everyone is doing their maximum," he added. "I am convinced that if we go on like this our hard work will pay off." Bob Bell, team technical director, agrees that Fisi it claws back the deficit target is revised BMW Renault for the second half of the 2007 championship. "The goal is clear: to continue closing the gap to BMW on track, and start doing something in the championship," he said. "If you look back at the opening races of the year, it was as if we are in a different race to them. Now we are regularly qualifying in the top ten, and according to the type of circuit, racing with our direct competitors. "Giancarlo and Heikki (Kovalainen) are both very hard and push the maximum out of the car. They now have more performance to fight on par with BMW," he added. "That is what we are focused on offering during the second half of the year, starting this weekend at the N? Rburgring." BMW Sauber, on the other hand, is accelerated. Nick Heidfeld admitted he never his BMW Sauber team is expected to Formula One's third strongest outfit this year. The team finished a distant fifth in the constructors' championship last year's championship and be focused in the top four this season. However, the German team has exceeded expectations making it the third best team behind Ferrari and McLaren. In addition, the team has more than 20 points scored throughout 2006. "We have exceeded expectations," said Heidfeld. "I was convinced that we have a level up in our second season on the grid. That said, we finished fifth in the constructors' championship standings last year - 50 points off fourth place - and there was no way I was expect us to the third best team already. " The German driver believes BMW will continue to make progress, and thinks it's just a matter of time before the team reaches the top. "I hope it's just a matter of time," he said. "The F1. 07 is actually the first genuine BMW Sauber." The BMW Sauber was not equipped with 740 components - instead, it is given the best racing parts to achieve a remarkable achievement. "More experience and resources will go into the car next year. We are moving in a positive direction. I think we pretty well prepared for the" Ring, "said Heidfeld. The Nurburgring is Heidfeld's home race. "I'm really looking forward to the race at the N? Rburgring," he said. "That's where the greatest number of my fans have always emerged, and with good results this year will probably be a few more."