Sato's Podium Brings Back Memories for Schumacher

World Champion Michael Schumacher said Takuma Sato's podium finish for BAR-Honda in the United States Grand Prix on Sunday reminded him of the way he first stepped onto the podium 12 years ago.

German Schumacher first sprayed the post-race champagne when he finished third in the Mexican Grand Prix in 1992 - in only his ninth Formula One race - and has made an incredible 130 appearances on the podium in his 203-race career.

Sato's first top-three finish, alongside winner Schumacher and second-placed Rubens Barrichello, came after 27 Grands Prix and Schumacher believes there are similarities between the two events.

"In a way it is probably similar to Mexico in 1992 because at the time there was Williams and McLaren and really we in the Benettons weren't expected to be quick enough to be near the podium but we were," said Schumacher.

"It was probably like Minardi today scoring a point. For them, it is a sort of victory and it was a sort of victory for me at the time and so I can well imagine how Takuma feels at this time, how excited he is."

Schumacher and Barrichello took time to spray Sato with champagne in the post-race celebrations and the German Ferrari driver added: "To be there you have to put in a pretty good effort and I guess he got a good welcome on the podium today."

Sato came close to securing his maiden podium in the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring two races ago but he made a lunge on Barrichello for second and lost third after pitting with damage before retiring with a blown engine.

He had suffered three engine failures in the three races preceding Indianapolis but finally equalled Aguri Suzuki's 1990 third-place Japanese Grand Prix finish as the best result for a Japanese driver.

"I guess we were quite honoured to have him (Sato) there for the first time because it is pretty special to be up there," said Barrichello. "It's always a great feeling to finish on the podium."