Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was the long-time pace-setter but Heidfeld beat him by 0.132 seconds late in the afternoon.

BBC: Nick Heidfeld heads Fernando Alonso at his Renault test

But it seems to me that he also has more going for him than Pizzonia or Heidfeld.

BBC: SPORT | Motorsport | Formula One | Coulthard makes his point

But Renault's sixth-placed Alonso followed by Sebastian Vettel and BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld will all be expected to push hard from the start.

BBC: Massa on pole as Hamilton falters

Countryman Rosberg, 24, has already been signed up, but the team's second driver has yet to be confirmed, although they have also been linked with Nick Heidfeld.

BBC: Ferrari happy for Michael Schumacher to join rivals