Rosberg welcomes unexpected points

The Williams driver finished in seventh position on a positive day that included a bold passing move on Toyota's Ralf Schumacher.

The result gave Rosberg his first Formula One points since last year's European Grand Prix, the fifth round of the championship.

"I wasn't perhaps expecting today would turn out so well, but I started last year's first race from 12th place and finished seventh, so I thought I could maybe do it again given my qualifying position," he said.

"I have taken the best out of our car today and I was particularly happy that overtaking Ralf (Schumacher) was successful - I was taking a chance of course, but you've got to try it and it was good for the team.

"The new regulation requiring us to use both tyre types mixed it up a bit and although I did suffer some graining late in the race, it didn't matter because I didn't have anyone close in front or behind me. At the next test in Malaysia we have to improve to keep progressing."

Rosberg's teammate Alex Wurz retired from the race after a crash with Red Bull's David Coulthard.