Romain Grosjean says his sixth-place finish for Haas in their Formula One debut felt like a win for the American team.
Grosjean started the Australian Grand Prix from 19th on the grid but managed to work his way up into a points finish in Melbourne on Sunday.
The new team was able to capitalise after a terrifying crash involving Fernando Alonso and its other driver Esteban Gutierrez brought out a red flag, which saw Grosjean benefit from a change of tyres.
Frenchman Grosjean was effectively able to make a 'free pit stop' and managed to hold off pressure from Force India's Nico Hulkenberg and Williams' Valtteri Bottas late in the race.
"The key was the strategy, the red flag," he told Sky Sports F1. "We had a pit stop and then stayed on those tyres to the end of the race.
"It wasn't easy because we had no reference [of the medium compound tyre], but we kind of got it right and made it work."
He added: "It feels like standing on the top step of podium. It's been an amazing race and weekend.
"For all the guys, the work they have been doing, so much work, since day one I told the guys the car has huge potential - but we needed a good result to see if that was true.
"We have plenty of areas we can improve but this result is a huge morale and confidence boost."
Grosjean's sixth-place finish meant Haas became the first team since Toyota in 2002 to claim points on its F1 debut, when Mika Salo finished sixth at the same circuit.
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