Michael Schumacher became the oldest podium finisher since Australian Jack Brabham on Sunday when he finished third in the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

Spain’s Fernando Alonso thrilled the local race fans when he stormed to a popular victory in sweltering heat, but Schumacher was ecstatic with his placing – the 155th top-three finish of his career – despite winning seven world titles.

It was Schumacher’s first podium since his controversial return to the sport in 2010, and in the process the 43-year-old became the oldest podium finisher since Brabham in 1970 when he was 44.

The elated German, who has already retired from five of the first seven races this season, admitted the result had come as a shock to him.

He was the beneficiary of some luck during a race punctuated by drama.

When McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton crashed out after a final lap collision with Pastor Maldonado of Williams, Schumacher was hoisted into third spot behind Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus.

On top of this, other frontrunners Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull and Romain Grosjean of Lotus retired from the race.

However, that should take nothing away from the veteran’s performance who worked his way up the field from 12th position whilst fending off rival Mark Webber of Red Bull, who finished fourth.

Schumacher admitted he did not know what position he had finished before his team congratulated him over the radio.

“I didn’t think about a podium at all. I asked my guys at the end of the race where I finished and when they told me third, I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“You lose count of where you are, it was busy at the end of the race.”

“It is those moments that definitely you enjoy deeply and it’s just a wonderful feeling to be back after such a long time.”

“But that is what I am here for, to be excited, hearing finally the message P3 is a sweet finish to an unexpected race.”