Button: no way to stop Raikkonen

The Honda Racing driver had looked on course for his first podium finish since Malaysia when he was overhauled by his McLaren rival 10 laps from the flag.

"It was a great, but the last stint was tough because I had a massive amount of graining," said Button, who eventually finished fourth.

"I couldn't fight Raikkonen and I was surprised he was alongside me when he was. I just could not fight him.

"The first two stints were unbelievable and to get past both Renaults early on was good. I had a really, really good race - although (Tiago) Monteiro was in my way all the time. It was unbelievable."

Button believes that Honda Racing can repeat their strong form in Hungary next weekend - where he is hoping that tyre supplier Michelin come back stronger.

"This weekend has been positive. Here today the Bridgestone was the stronger tyre. We saw that with Williams and Ferrari - and the Ferraris would have lapped everyone in the race if they hadn't backed off.

"That is disappointing but hopefully we will be back there in Hungary. Although it will be tough."

Honda Racing's sporting director Gil de Ferran told ITV that he was hoping that the German result marked a turning point in the season for them.

"We are very happy about today," said the Brazilian. "Jenson drove a fantastic race and we were looking good for a podium. Unfortunately at the end he began to struggle with the balance and we couldn't hold Kimi up.

"We had a tough time in the last few races, so to get a fourth is good. Unfortunately we had a failure with Rubens because otherwise we could have had two cars in the point.

"We had lots of little things on the car for here so hopefully we will continue that progression later this year."