There were podium-magnitude celebrations in the Minardi Cosworth garage at the end of the United States Grand Pri🗹x today [Sunday] as the Faenza squad's Zsolt Baumgartner scored the team's first point in 41 races.

In doing so, the Budapest-based driver assured himself of a place in motor racing history, as he became the first Hungarian Formula One dꦇriver to score a World Championship point.

"It'sᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ a great feeling to score a point," he reflected, "it's like a miracle happened today!

"On the first lap, I tapped the back of one of the Jordans when it braked hard to avoid an accident at Turn 2. Fortunately, there wasn't any serious damage and I wa🍸s able to carry on.

"After that, the race settled down♔ and I was able to set very consistent lap times, which were not so far off my qualifying time, so I was really pleജased with that. There was some big pressure in those last few laps when I knew we were close to getting a point, and then I saw the Sauber slow and Paul came on the radio and told me I was in the points.

"We were close in Monaco, and now we've scored here, so I couldn't be happier. It's also great for the whole team, as everyone has been working so hard all season and🌳 deserves this result."

Team boss, Paul Stoddart was♌ equally delighted, although he was𝄹 concerned about Ralf Schumacher, following his high-speed crash in the early stages of the race.

"What a fantastic ending to an action-packed United States Grand Prix! Firstly, our thoughts are with Ralf after his heavy accident, although💃 we understand from first reports that he's okay.

"That aside, this race had everything, and when a team like Minardi that struggles so hard against the odds scores a point, it is an occ🔯asion for great celebration," he concluded.

"As for Zsolt, what can I say? He has driven with tremendous maturity all 🍌weekend and his pace has been strong and consistent.

"Today's result was just reward for a gritty performance because, as we all know, to finish first, first you have to finish. As the first Hungarian Formula One driver to score a World Championship point, he will go down in history, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. To all the people on the team who work week in and week out for so little🦄 reward, I can only say 'well done'!"