'BMW's the third best team'

BMW team boss Mario Theissen claims his team is the third best outfit going into the new season, behind only Ferrari and McLaren for pace.

BMW have been the darkhorse in pre-season testing, with Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld regularly breaking into the top six on the timesheets.

The team has already been billed by many as a contender for race wins this season, if not for the World title. And that's a sentiment echoed by team boss Theissen.

"So far, Ferrari and McLaren look like the strongest teams," he told the team's official website.

"Both teams have top drivers such as Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa.

"I'm pleased to say that these two teams are followed by a group of teams including us."