Robert Kubica’s hopes of winning this year’s world championship may have fallen by the wayside in China last weekend, but BMW Sauber are already feeling confident about their 2009 development work.

"I believe we are well on our way," BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen told the team's official website. "The design work is running to plan, and we are also on track to finish our aerodynamic development on schedule."

One of the biggest changes to the 2009 regulations will be the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS). Initially the team experienced some hiccups with their system, notably when a mechanic received an electric shock at a test in July, but since then they have made headway, most recently at BMW’s test facility in France.

"We have tested KERS in recent weeks,” added Theissen. “Not on the track, but on the straight in Miramas. That work is ongoing.”

In the meantime, Theissen admitted there would be no new developments on the F1.08 for the final 2008 race in Brazil, but insisted the team would be looking to get "as much out of the package as possible," as they chase an unlikely second place in the constructors' championship.

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