Formula 1: Sauber team overjoyed with Australian result

Sauber made the Formula One world pay attention after Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Räikkönen finished fourth and sixth in Australia.

The duo started from 10th and 13th places on the grid, but powered through the field in Melbourne.

It was a fantastic start for Sauber after the team purchased a new engine and put their faith in two inexperienced F1 drivers.

Heidfeld said: "Scoring my first World Championship points is excellent, and this one race has wiped away my 2000 season.

"The car and our Bridgestone tyres were consistent all the way through, and even at the end when I had real pressure from Heinz-Harald, I was able to keep cool and keep pushing. Finishing fourth is so exciting! "

Räikkönen was also delighted to notch his first championship point in the opening race.

He said: "It's nice to finish my first Grand Prix, and even nicer to score my first World Championship point!

"It's been a good day, and a great start to my F1 career. "

Team Principal Peter Sauber said: "The result was better than we had dared hope for, and our lap times were very competitive all the way through.

"To have been so close on speed to Heinz-Harald Frentzen was a real boost.

"I am delighted that Nick's great drive was rewarded with his first points, while Kimi Räikkönen was a miracle.

"This result is very, very important as it gives us a strong foundation for the season.

"It is a big compliment to the whole team to have created two reliable and fast cars."