Frentzen: Sauber played its joker today

Sauber had timed its pit-stops perfectly, and was able to change to wet tyres on their scheduled refuelling stops. This vaulted both drivers into contention, and the supremacy of the Bridgestone in intermediate wet conditions ensured that both were able to come home ahead of more fancied opposition.

"I'm very happy, and especially now because of our situation," said Frentzen. "It's fantastic! We have had a very difficult season and podium finishes have definitely not been our regular targets. Today the weather and the track conditions were just perfect for us. I was about to come into the pits anyway, so I decided to change to wet tyres just as it started to rain. As it showed, this was a crucial decision. The team did a great job and it seems that our car is more competitive in wet conditions. We used our joker today."

Team boss Peter Sauber was understandably elated with the result - especially as the ten points scored in the constructors' target is more than the team has scored for the rest of the season combined, and moves the team up to fifth in the constructors' standings.

"Ten points in a single race - after the sort of season we have been having in 2003 - well, it's very difficult for me to find the right words," said Sauber.

Frentzen, however, knows exactly how he's going to celebrate. "Tonight we're going into the streets to have a party," he said. "I'll invite the whole team. We definitely have a reason to celebrate. My third place gives a lot of motivation to the team. I wish it all the best for the future."