Comments made by BMW team boss Mario Theissen at the weekend could be taken in a number of ways.

On the surface, the German appears to tip Nick Heidfeld for World Championship glory, stating that "Nick is a driver who can be World Champion". However, such a claim could be applied to any number of drivers on the grid in 2007 - they can (could) be World Champion..

It is another comment by Theissen that really merits analysis: "I'm of the opinion that the top driver we need to win the World Championship is already a member of our team," he told reporters at the weekend.

Of course, there is nothing in that statement that suggests Theissen is talking purely about Heidfeld, who is 30 in just over a month's time. The German team also has Robert Kubica and Sebastian Vettel on board, not to mention Timo Glock.

Looking ahead, Theissen is confident that BMW's year on year master-plan is on schedule: "At the end of 2007, we will have achieved our scheduled manning level, and the extension of the Hinwil factory will also be complete.

"In 2008, we want to be able to win races," he admitted, "and in 2009, we want to have achieved the level of competitiveness that will allow us to battle for the World Championship titles."

Our money is Vettel doing the serious challenging, not Nick.