Van de Poele thrilled with podium

Starting 11th, the Belgian benefited from two safety car periods to vault up the order and take third on the final lap by passing Pierluigi Martini and Eddie Cheever.

The race comes exactly 15 years after his maiden Grand Prix in San Marino.

In that race van de Poele was running fifth until the final lap, when he had to retire when he ran out of fuel.

"15 years ago I had my first GP plus one day," van de Poele said. "I can't believe now I'm here sitting next to Nigel.

"This race was fantastic. I had less and less cars in front of me as the race went on and I had a better set-up on my car than in qualifying.

"I knew in traffic when you follow a car you have understeer so I put more wing for the race and it worked really well. It was just perfect in the end."

"I have to congratulate the team. To have so many cars in the perfect conditions and have them so equal with all the organisation in the track and outside of the track - I'm very proud to part of this."