BMW will almost certainly field an unchanged driver lineup for the 2008 season.

Robert Kubica is already secure with a multi-year BMW-Sauber contract, while the impressive form of his experienced teammate Nick Heidfeld this year suggests that team principal Mario Theissen would be very unlikely to let him go.

The latest paddock whispers is that they are only stumbling over the finer financial details of a new two-year deal to cover 2008 and '09.

Before setting off to hospital to get his slight back injury checked on Friday, Heidfeld was quoted as telling the Diario As newspaper: "I still have not renewed (the contract) but things are going well."

30-year-old Heidfeld's only real competition for the Seat comes from current test and reserve driver Sebastian Vettel, but the teenaged German is more strongly linked with a temporary move to Toro Rosso in 2008.

Both Theissen and Vettel have tellingly fumbled with part-denials of the story at Magny Cours this weekend. Vettel, for example, did not deny it but insisted that "there are always rumours in formula one".

Theissen said of BMW's current lineup: "We have a pair of very good drivers. Nick and Robert are two top drivers and we are happy with them.

"Nick does not yet have a new contract but he is doing a good job and our discussions are heading in the right way.

"Robert is having a difficult time with the change to Bridgestone tyres, much like Fernando (Alonso), but already he is getting there."

Source:GMM