Theissen eyes strong finish for Sauber

The BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen feels his team can play a pivotal role for the remainder of the Formula One season. Although BMW are pulling out of F1 at the end of the year, Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld combined for the team's best result of the campaign in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix. In finishing fourth and fifth and collecting nine points, BMW Sauber doubled their entire points tally for the year from the previous 11 races.

Theissen is convinced the race at Spa was no flash in the pan for a marque that had previously under performed, despite their considerable resources. "I have always said we were disappointed with the first half of the season," said Theissen. "It was certainly below not just our own expectations, but also below our proven capabilities, and now we want to finish the season on a high." Peter Sauber, who ran the team before selling to BMW in 2006, is tipped to take over the team, despite failing with an earlier bid.

It is understood the two parties have recently returned to the negotiating table in an effort to thrash out a deal. Theissen, though, refused to comment on whether that was the case or how close the German manufacturers are to finding a buyer, adding: "It's an ongoing process. "There is no decision yet, no clear answer." It leaves Theissen to concentrate on the final few races, starting with the Italian Grand Prix on September 13.

"I don't know if we can improve, but from the car's performance at Spa, Monza should suit us as well," he said. "The other factor which came into play for us were the tyres as we were able to make the best use of them, a factor that can change in Monza, so we will see." * PA Sport