Former team head Peter Sauber says Robert Kubica has a great future in Formula One after the Polish youngster finished third in only his third grand prix.

"This was only the beginning, the best is yet to come. Robert has huge potential," the Swiss told the BMW Sauber Web site on Thursday.

Sauber, who gave Kimi Raikkonen his Formula One debut in 2001 when the Finn was an unknown driver, said 21-year-old Kubica was outstanding in fending off Ferrari's Felipe Massa for lap after lap in this month's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

"In the past, he was often forced to use second rate material due to his limited financial possibilities," said Sauber, who sold his Swiss-based team to BMW last year but remains as a consultant.

"You really had to take a closer look to discover his qualities. However it was definitely worth our while."

Kubica, Poland's first Formula One driver, replaced Canada's former world champion Jacques Villeneuve at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August.

He would have scored points on his debut had his car not been disqualified for being underweight at the finish.

He has qualified in the top 10 in all his three races and third place in Monza made him the first driver to finish on the podium after just three starts since Austrian Alexander Wurz with Benetton at Silverstone in 1997.

BMW Sauber have yet to confirm Kubica for next season but, on the basis of his races so far, it would be surprising if anyone else was in the frame to partner Germany's Nick Heidfeld at the team.