Season's best for Sauber

In one of the most exciting races of the season both Massa and Fisichella got caught up in some of the carnage, but both came through it to give the team it's best yet in 2004.

"After two laps I was feeling so disappointed!" Massa said. "I locked up at La Source at the start and didn't see Kimi on the outside until we touched, then Sato really hit the back of my car. You might say I was lucky in the circumstances, but I believe that today I was recompensed for all the bad luck I have had in the last five races. The team did a fantastic job for me. Perhaps I could have had my first podium here today, but I prefer to see fourth as my best ever result."

Fifth-placed Fisichella said: "At the start somebody ran into the back of my car at La Source, and I lost some downforce because of damage to the rear wing and diffuser as a result. I was able to fight for points, but it was difficult and on lap 20 I momentarily went off the road in Turn 12 and lost a little more downforce by damaging a front wing endplate. But to see our cars finish fourth and fifth was great. We deserved this."

Team boss Peter Sauber added: "A fantastic race, very exciting for everyone. Our result shows what you can do with determination, a strong heart and a refusal to give in no matter what the odds. Felipe drove a beautiful race to recover from his early delays and thoroughly deserved to shake off his bad luck, while Giancarlo coped very well with a lot of handling problems resulting from the first corner damage and defended well in the closing stages."