Heidfeld finally gets better of team mate Kubica

SILVERSTONE (Reuters) - Nick Heidfeld saw a turning point in his Formula One fortunes on Saturday after out-qualifying BMW-Sauber team mate Robert Kubica for the first time this season.

The German qualified fifth for Sunday's British Grand Prix, his best Saturday performance since Malaysia in March, while high-flying Kubica was 10th after a technical problem in the final session.

"I'm quite happy with fifth because it just continues a positive trend which began in qualifying at Magny-Cours (in France two weeks ago) and confirms all our efforts and work have paid off," said Heidfeld.

"I can now manage again to heat up the tyres properly and get them to work, but we shall continue to work on this subject."

Heidfeld has struggled with the handling of his car this season, while Canadian race winner Kubica has led the championship and is still second overall.

Team boss Mario Theissen said earlier in the year that Heidfeld's main problem was in extracting the most out of the car in qualifying over a single lap.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; editing by Miles Evans)