VALENCIA, Spain (AP) — Michael Schumacher stepped onto a Formula One podium at the European Grand Prix yesterday for the first time since coming out of retirement.

The 43-year-old German great took advantage of a collision between Lewis Hamilton and Pastor Maldonado on the penultimate lap to steer his Mercedes into a long coveted top-three finish in Valencia.

Schumacher said of his third-place finish that “it’s these moments that you enjoy deeply. It’s wonderful to be back after so much time”.

“I didn’t think about a podium, not even at the end of the race. At the end I asked the guys where we finished and the boys told me that’s third. I can’t believe that, I didn’t expect it,” he said.

Schumacher had endured a wretched season, failing to finish five of the previous seven races and only collecting two points.

The last time the seven-time champion had made it onto a podium was in 2006.

Schumacher returned to the sport he had dominated for more than a decade in 2010 after a three-year hiatus, but the former Ferrari driver had so far lacked his old brilliance.

“Finally it happened! After such a long time waiting and jumping on the podium so unexpectedly, I feel extra happy,” he said. “I think that was the best answer to give to everybody who started doubting our work.”