Struggling teams can't 'do a Brawn' for 2010

Simply throwing away development of this year's car is not a route back to contention in Formula One, according to Nick Heidfeld.

Faced with the Hinwil based team's lack of competitiveness this season, it is often suggested that one possible solution might be to 'do a Brawn' and focus very early on the next championship campaign.

But with the rules to remain fairly stable this winter, 32-year-old Heidfeld said of the proposal: "In my opinion that is possible only for the first year of new regulations."

Indeed, team boss Mario Theissen announced last Friday that development of the 2009 car will continue "flat-out", and it is believed the next steps may involve the F1.09's suspension.

"What we are learning from our present car will flow virtually 1:1 into the concept for the (2010 car) F1.10," he said.

To Germany's Der Spiegel, Heidfeld clarified that the realistic objective is not to catch up with frontrunners Red Bull and Brawn.

"The top cars are too far away," he insisted. As for his own future, Heidfeld is looking at his options for 2010 and insists that his only desire is to sit in "a car that wins".