BMW Sauber has decided to retain their current driver lineup for the 2009 season. The announcement brings to an end speculation that had linked former champion Fernando Alonso to the team as well as moves from the team to replace German veteran Heidfeld.

This effectively means that Fernando Alonso, the hottest property on the drivers market, will be staying at Renault for another season. BMW was the only team which could have woo’d the former world champion and a move to Honda was clearly not on Alonso’s mind considering their consistency to remain at the rear end of the grid, for the last couple of years.

Along with race driver continuity, the team has also retained Christian Klien as test and reserve driver.

““We see Nick and Robert as a strong driver pairing and Christian as an experienced test driver,” stated BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “We are in no doubt that we will again achieve our ambitious aims with them in the team’s fourth year.”

Kubica is currently third in the championship standings with 64 points with Heidfeld fifth on 56 points. Kubica recorded the team’s first victory in Montreal this year.