bmw were not really up to the pace to fight for a podium.... i guess heidfeld was fighting more with the renult than the ferrari b4 retiring.

the current BMW pace is ok, above average, if compared to yesteryears. this season they are stronger, and i believe they can give ferrari a run for their money for the second spot if not the championship spot.

Robert Kubica is adamant one of the worst accidents in Formula One history will have no affect on his future career.

Kubica's smash at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal was measured at 75g, which under normal circumstances would prove fatal, yet the Pole sustained nothing more than light concussion.

That is testament to the strength of the monocoque of a modern-day Formula One car, which is all that remained of his BMW after it finally came to rest.

"I always knew with a single seater and open wheels an accident could happen - and it can always happen again," said Kubica.

"It is the same for every driver, and we are all aware of it, but I feel what happened is more encouraging than worrying thanks to the outcome - that you still can climb out without being hurt.

"The improved safety regulations from the FIA plus the 'safety first' approach of our engineers and designers have made this possible. I would like to say a big personal thank you to all of them.

"If I had been born earlier I would have still wanted to race in Formula One, but most likely would have suffered injuries.

"I feel I am lucky to be racing in modern Formula One, and what happened will not affect me. Definitely not."

Although emerging unscathed, Kubica was denied the chance to race in Sunday's United States Grand Prix on medical grounds.

There were fears that in light of his concussion, another accident could have had serious consequences.

Kubica will be checked again ahead of the French Grand Prix, although he concedes he is "pretty bored with doing nothing."

"I am not used to resting for such a long period - no test, no pr days," added Kubica.

"But of course, I have used the time for my fitness preparation in Italy, and am in constant contact with Josef Leberer, our team's physio.

"I now can't wait to race. But whether I am allowed to or not is down to the decision of the official doctors, who I have to see before the race in Magny-Cours."

Robert Kubica is hoping that medical examination he will be to undergo at Magny-Cours will be just a "formality."

The BMW driver was prevented from racing at the United States GP after suffering a concussion in his horrific accident in Canada the week before.

However, before getting the all-clear for next weekend's French GP, he will first have to pass another medical test.

"I may not have been given the green light to compete in the USA, but I hope the medical examination at Magny-Cours will be a formality," he said.

"The reason why I wasn't allowed to drive at Indianapolis had nothing to do with how I felt; the problem was the risk involved in suffering a second accident within such a short space of time. That's also why I wasn't allowed to test."

The Polish driver, though, is hoping to make his comeback in France, a track he's "pretty neutral" about.

"It isn't one of my favourite circuits, but at the same time I don't have a problem with it," he said.

"Magny-Cours is a lot more fun in a Formula One car than with the smaller cars I've driven there before in other categories of racing. You can particularly see the potential of the F1 car through the chicanes."

Team boss Mario Theissen is also hoping Kubica gets the go-ahead to race next weekend.

"Like Robert himself, the team is also hoping that he will be back in the car in France," he said. "The race doctors at Magny-Cours will have the final say on that one though."

Giancarlo Fisichella believes it's not only important for Renault to score points in France this weekend but also to beat BMW.

The two teams are locked in a battle for third place in this year's Constructors' Championship, which at present BMW are winning.

After a slow start to the season Renault have just 25 points from seven races, while BMW have bagged 39, which include eight from Nick Heidfeld's Canadian GP podium result.

However, Fisichella is confident that Renault are closing in on their rivals and reckons they can pip the German team to third place in the teams' battle.

Asked what he's expecting from the French event, the Roman said: "Firstly, to score more points, that's a priority.

"After that, we have to race with BMW and try to beat them. They are the team we are fighting in the Championship, and we have to try and out-score them in each race from now on.

"It's not going to be easy, but we know that our car is improving all the time, we are making steps forward, and the motivation is there to do the job. I can't wait to get out on track and start working."

His team-mate Heikki Kovalainen is also expecting an improved performance at Magny-Cours, believing that Renault have taken a significant step forward during recent races and testing.

"I think we made another step with the car last week at Silverstone, so I am looking forward to getting out there on Friday, and seeing how things stack up," the Finn said.

"We got the maximum out of our package in Indy. We have to do the same again this weekend."

kubica is back,with his fast pace,hopefully he will get a podium finish

Nice job by heidfeld, alonso must be cursing him and extremely frustrated after blocking Alonso for laps after laps