Sunday March 23, 06:15 PM

BMW Sauber flex their muscles in Malaysia

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By John O'Brien

SEPANG, Malaysia (Reuters) - BMW Sauber emerged as genuine Formula One contenders in Malaysia on Sunday after Robert Kubica gave the team their second runner-up finish in two races.

The Pole enjoyed a smooth run behind race winner Kimi Raikkonen, inheriting second spot from the world champion's Ferrari team mate Felipe Massa after the Brazilian spun off into the gravel on lap 31.

Facing little challenge from the McLarens of Heikki Kovalainen (third) and Lewis Hamilton (fifth), Kubica was able to match the second place his German team mate Nick Heidfeld took in last week's Australian season-opener.

Heidfeld was sixth at Sepang and the pair have earned 19 points for BMW from the first two races, leaving them second in the constructors' standings and five points behind McLaren. Champions Ferrari are third on 11 points.

"It's a fantastic day for the team," Kubica told reporters after securing his best result, and second podium finish, in Formula One since joining the class in late 2006.

"After Monza two years ago, I finally managed to get another podium for myself.

"I didn't have a good start because of too much wheel spin, and I was fighting with Nick (Heidfeld) and Jarno Trulli (of Toyota).," he said.

"I took the dirty inside line and almost lost the car but managed to get through the corner and overtake them. From then on I drove my own pace."

FERRARI CLASS

Surprised not to be challenged by the McLarens, who were penalised five grid places each after Saturday's qualifying for impeding other cars, Kubica admitted the Ferraris were in a class of their own.

"The Ferraris were too quick but I was able to open a gap from the cars following me," he added.

"After the second pitstop, I reduced the revs to save the engine and took it easy."

Heidfeld was also pleased with his race, in which he recorded the fastest lap of all drivers at 1:35.366.

"I'm happy to have clocked my first ever fastest lap and 11 points are the best ever for our team," the German said.

"The pace of the car was really good -- about the same as McLaren. That's very positive and makes it a little disappointing that I only finished sixth."

The great start to the season was welcomed by BMW team principal Mario Theissen, who had nothing but praise for both his drivers.

"This was another good performance from our team," he said.

"Robert was able to establish himself behind the Ferraris right after the start and Nick was unlucky at the first corner but still managed to clock the fastest lap.

"We are very pleased with the early stages of the season so far -- two podiums in two races and 19 points on the board.

"That's all very positive and a good basis for the next races."