Button could not hold off Raikkonen for third place

The 26-year-old Englishman claimed his best finish since March in a race won by Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.

He said: "We've made a definite step forward here and we've been strong all weekend but we have to continue that into Hungary, which will be hard work.

"It looks like we're getting back on track though."

Button enjoyed a strong weekend at Hockenheim, claiming his first championship points since finishing sixth at the Spanish Grand Prix in May.

I am very happy with fourth but you always want to achieve more, unless you win Jenson Button

He was delighted with the return to form but had hoped to go one step further and get back on the podium - something not achieved since his third place in Malaysia in March.

"It's great to get a fourth place but it's a pity I didn't get on the podium," he added.

"It's nice to be fighting again at the front - I am very happy with fourth but you always want to achieve more, unless you win."

Button had a podium in his grasp until the 58th lap, when Kimi Raikkonen forced his way past.

He insisted he had no way of holding off the McLaren driver and blamed his drop of pace on a tyre problem.

"The last stint was really tough because I had massive amounts of tyre graining on the front left and a lot of rear locking, so I just couldn't fight off Raikkonen," Button said.

"I had no chance to keep Kimi behind, he was two seconds a lap quicker. It is a pity but I had a great race and enjoyed it so much.