KUBICA STICKS WITH MASSA FOR TITLE

Robert Kubica backed Felipe Massa to win this season's Formula One world title at the start of the year - and he sees no reason to change his mind now.

With Kubica's own challenge having slowly faded since his victory in Canada three months ago, he feels the smart money should go on Massa to take the title.

Following his fourth win this year in Valencia 11 days ago, Ferrari star Massa is now within six points of championship leader Lewis Hamilton.

With a third of the season remaining, starting with this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Kubica feels Massa has the edge on both McLaren's Hamilton and reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen in his Ferrari.

"I said at the beginning of the year that if I had to put money on anybody then I would put it on Massa, and I will stick with that," said BMW Sauber's Kubica, who is 15 points adrift of Hamilton.

"I think most people don't realise he is doing a very good job. To trouble Kimi is not easy, but he has done it.

"In some races Kimi has been quicker, but lately Felipe has more often been in front of him, and with quite considerable gaps.

"In the past Felipe has made mistakes, including at the start of this season.

"He has moments when he has gone off, and once that happens you form an opinion and it is difficult to change.

"But he is now doing a very good job. He has made massive progress and he is showing that, in particular in the last six, seven races.

"He is consistent and has been very quick in both qualifying and the races.

"He has everything to fight for the championship, and maybe to win it.

"But everything will come down to car performance and which track better suits Ferrari or McLaren."

Although Kubica's championship hopes are slim, he is guaranteed his race seat for next year with BMW Sauber, should he choose to stay.

That is in comparison to team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who is only 14 points behind Kubica in the standings, but who is again struggling for form.

That has led to boss Mario Theissen questioning the possibility of Heidfeld remaining at the team for next season.

Asked whether he would retain Heidfeld if he were boss, Kubica said: "I'm not the boss, so I don't have this problem.

"But I can appreciate it's very, very difficult. People like to forget what Nick has done in the past.

"If you look at how a situation can change from one year to the other, you have to look at the bigger picture, not just at what you want to see.

"Nick is a very good driver, and he has shown that many times. I struggle to find someone who is quicker.

"Nick and I have been team-mates for two seasons, two and a half by the end of this year, and all in all we have had very good moments and worked very well together.

"I don't see why we can't be team-mates again next season, but I would have no problem if there was also a different driver."