Kubica welcomes first points of 2009

"It is good to finally score points," said the BMW Sauber driver, who had an 11th place as his previous best result this year.

"I think I raced well today. My pace was good and I made no mistakes.

"The race was very hard, as nearly all the time I had someone very close behind me, and the smallest mistake would have cost a position. It was very hard to keep up the pace.

"However, finishing seventh was a clear step forward and we now have to keep up the speed of development."

Team-mate Nick Heidfeld, on the other hand, was disappointed after finishing down in 11th position.

The German driver had a problem with his car ahead of the start, and he dropped down the order.

"For me today's race was disappointing because I lost all my chances in the beginning when I had a problem with the car," Heidfeld explained. "As early as the formation lap I realised the car pulled to one side and the front left tyre had no grip at all. It stood still when I tapped the brakes softly.

"The start itself was okay as I was ninth, but then I more or less went straight on in the first corners because of my problems, and quite a few cars went by me.

"It was better in the second and third stints, but it was way too late for points. Nevertheless it is positive that the car has generally improved and again we are able to score on our own merits."