Heidfeld frustrated with modest 'image'

Nick Heidfeld has expressed frustration that, while his teammate Robert Kubica has secured a seat with Renault, he is still working to find a place on the 2010 grid.

24-year-old Pole Kubica is one of the most highly rated drivers in Formula One, but he has actually scored only 9 points compared with Heidfeld's 15 so far this season.

Moreover, the veteran Heidfeld, 32, trails Kubica only slightly in the qualifying stakes, having outqualified his Polish teammate 7 times ahead of the 15 races so far in 2009.

"In terms of the public perception, I am behind drivers who are not as good as me," the German complained to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

Last year, Heidfeld struggled notably at BMW-Sauber, but in 2007 he clearly had the measure of Kubica.

"In 2007 I was faster than Robert and I am again now. But everyone talks only of 2008," said Heidfeld.

"I would have thought logic would prevail in Formula One, but unfortunately your image is not only the result of numbers," he added.

He confirmed that he has not yet secured a seat for 2010 but reveals he has "a few options", and it is believed that hoping BMW-Sauber's new owners can drive to the Bahrain grid next March is at the top of the list.