After starting in pole position, Team McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen finished third in today's 67-lap Mobil 1 German Grand Prix, the young Finn the only driver on the grid to employ a three stop strategy. However, a problem with his right rear wheel nut in the first of these three stops caused a delay, as did blistering on his Michelin rubber, but the young Finn was thrilled with his return to the rostrum.

"To be on the podium is really the best result that we could have achieved today as we have had several problems,” he said. “During the race I was delayed in my first pit-stop due to a crossed wheel nut; I suffered from blistering on my second set of tyres, and there was a small issue with the hydraulics, which meant that Jenson Button was able to get ahead after my first stop. However none of these really mattered as we were able to make up all the time in the last part of the race where we were very strong. The result today shows that the car has definitely improved, and hopefully next race we can do even better."

Meanwhile, teammate Pedro de la Rosa was forced to retire on the third lap with a mechanical fuel pump failure, the Spanish racer making up two positions off the start. However, this is part of racing so he will put it behind him and move directly on to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring next weekend.

"It is a real shame that my race ended so quickly, especially after I had such a good start and had moved up two places,” he said. “The car felt really quick and was easy to drive. I was catching the Renault's when all of a sudden I lost power and had to pull up, as a result of a failed fuel pump. Although I am disappointed these things happen, and I am now just looking forward to the race next weekend in Hungary where hopefully we can better demonstrate the improved competitiveness of the car."

"An outstanding race by Kimi, and I am exceedingly pleased for the team because of the necessity to vary our strategy and the role this played in getting onto the podium,” added Ron Dennis. “Our apologies to Pedro whose retirement was the result of a mechanical fuel pump failure, the cause of which will be analysed over the next few days. It is hard to be satisfied with this result, but it was the best we could do in the circumstances, and we now look forward to the next race where we hope our improved performance should continue."

"A good race result at the Mercedes-Benz home Grand Prix as the best Michelin car and a super job by Kimi,” said Norbert Haug. “Taking into consideration that we had problems with a crossed wheel nut on the right rear tyre on his car during the first pit stop and a small hydraulic problem during the race we could not do any better against the combination of Bridgestone and Ferrari. The failure on Pedro's car was a shame. I am sure that he definitely was able to get into the top five."