Canadian GP: Bottas says third a boost for Williams

Williams is still looking for its first points of the 2013 Formula 1 season, and prior to Montreal had not made it into Q3 all season.

Bottas flew throughout the wet qualifying session and ended up behind only Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.

"It means a lot," said Bottas. "We're way further up than we could ever imagine.

"It has been so difficult for the first six races for us, and it's a nice boost for the team.

"We really got everything quite right here today."

Although Williams is optimistic it has improved in recent races, Bottas had no doubt that the weather had transformed its prospects.

"I think the fact is that in the dry the car does not belong in P3 at the moment," he said.

"Our team were always hoping for rain as it's always a chance if you get everything right that you can always finish higher than the car [is capable of]."

Bottas preferred to stay cautious about his prospects for the race.

"If it is dry it is going to be difficult," he said.

"I still have zero points and there is still a lot to learn."