Frentzen Delighted to be Back on the Podium

Heinz-Harald Frentzen was delighted to have turned Sauber's season around in an instant when he claimed six points for third place in the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis.

Frentzen, who had scored just seven points in the preceding 14 races, jumped to 10th in the Drivers' Championship and his teammate Nick Heidfeld's fifth place elevated Sauber from ninth to fifth in the Constructors' Championship.

Their combined haul more than doubled the team's points for the year and after his second podium finish at The Brickyard in four years German Frentzen said: "I have good memories here and I am very happy especially in our situation.

"We have had a very difficult season and podium places would not be our regular target this season but it was perfect conditions for us today and that helped me and the team did a good job."

Frentzen had not finished on the podium since the US Grand Prix in 2000.

The mixed weather conditions played into Sauber's hands as their Bridgestone tyres worked well in drying or damp conditions and the team used the weather to their advantage better than any other outfit on the grid.

They managed to make just two pit stops compared to the three of winner Michael Schumacher and second-placed Kimi Raikkonen and Frentzen's only mistake came when he failed to open his champagne bottle in time on the podium.

"We seem to be more competitive in wet conditions and we used our joker today," said Frentzen. "I had great fun but I was really concerned about thinking about finishing second or third in the Championship - excuse me - on the podium.

"We had a similar situation this year when we were in the points and, for instance, in Monza I had a gearbox problem so I was just thinking enjoy it as much as I can and don't think about finishing."