Heidfeld takes his first ever podium

The 23-year-old German finished the Sao Paulo race behind victor David Coulthard and second-placed world champion Michael Schumacher.

"This result was important to show people I am not as slow as they think," said Heidfeld, who last year had a miserable season with the Prost team and failed to score any points. "In fact, I think the last two races showed that.

"Last year was very difficult for me," he added, "but I have learned a lot since then, like setting-up my own car better and getting to know the circuits better."

Now, Heidfeld says he plans to be on the podium as much as possible.

"As a racing driver, I always believe in myself," he continued, who is in only his second year in Formula 1. "It is a lot more fun this year to be in the points. Of course, it is an exception to be here, but I will try to be here as much as possible from now on.

"It was an incredible feeling for me. I am very happy for the team. It is really amazing and at the moment it doesn't seem like it is happening."

Heidfeld also benefited from the high number of cars that failed to finish the Brazilian race.

The former Formula 3000 driver started ninth on the grid, but progressed slowly up the field after the likes of Mika Hakkinen, Juan Pablo Montoya and Heinz-Harald Frentzen went out.

"A lot of people dropped out of the field and then I found I was behind Frentzen. He retired and then I was there," he concluded.