FUJI SPEEDWAY, Japan, Sept 26, 2007 (AFP) - BMW Sauber's excellent results in 2007 have allowed the team to switch their focus to next season when they hope to match the pace of Formula One front-runners McLaren and Ferrari.

After McLaren's expulsion from the constructors' championship earlier this month, BMW have secured second place behind Ferrari with three races still remaining in the current campaign.

Ahead of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen has revealed that the strong performance of the current car has allowed the team to concentrate on 2008 earlier than they had anticipated.

"We are basically ahead of our development," said Theissen on the team's official website.

"Since the season has been going so well, we have already been able to fully concentrate on the new car for the next year."

Although McLaren would almost certainly have won the championship were it not for their 'Spygate' punishment, third place would still have been a huge success for BMW Sauber.

And with drivers Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld already confirmed for next season hopes are high within the German outfit that they will be able to continue their development next year.

But though they have established a cushion between themselves and Renault, the next fastest team, BMW realise they still have a lot of work to do to get to the front of the grid.

"The last step to the absolute top is definitely the most difficult one," Theissen added. "Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes at the top are hard nuts to crack."