Thursday 17 July at 13:30 : After a disappointing opening half of the 2008 season, Nick Heidfeld has declared himself ready to return to top form.

With BMW-Sauber engineers, the 31-year-old German has been working hard to solve his problem with heating up the Bridgestone tyres.

At Silverstone he seemed to have made progress, keeping up with on-form teammate Robert Kubica in qualifying and then finishing second in the rain-affected race.

"I feel good in the car again," Heidfeld told the German publication Sport Bild, on the eve of his home race at Hockenheim.

"Before Silverstone, the car was driving me, but now I feel like I'm back in control," he added.

It is understood Heidfeld remains under contract to BMW-Sauber for 2009, but the Hinwil based team is yet to confirm its next driver lineup.

Names including Bruno Senna and Fernando Alonso are being linked with moves to the German squad.

Heidfeld, a veteran of approaching 150 grands prix, said: "Since I have been in formula one, dozens of drivers has come and gone. I feel I have the support of the team."