Ralf Happy with Unexpected Podium

Williams driver Ralf Schumacher was happy with his third place at Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix, a result he said he did not expect.

"We can be very happy about today's result," said the German, who finished some 13 seconds behind Ferrari drivers Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher. "We didn't really expect to be third here. We can be satisfied as we were the only team to keep a reasonable distance behind the Ferraris. Let's say we were best of the rest.

"I pushed all race but sometimes it is difficult to keep your speed when you are lapping the other cars and I was held up a few times. We made two brilliant pit stops and I must say thanks to the team for this. Also our tyres seemed to get better and better throughout the race which helped."

Williams teammate Juan Pablo Montoya endured a torrid race that saw him losing second place in the Championship. The Colombian, starting from fourth place, struggled with an understeering car for most of the race and, after going off the track several times, he had to settle for 11th position.

"This wasn't my weekend. This track is not one of my favourites," he said. "Right after the start someone hit me, then I went off on a kerb and lost a piece of bodywork. Due to the ongoing understeer I had, my left elbow is hurting. From time to time today my car was almost impossible to drive. I couldn't get good balance for the whole weekend."

Montoya and teammate Schumacher are now tied in third place in the Championship standings, five points behind race winner Barrichello.