Toyota?s double points finish represented its best result since joining grand prix racing in 2002.
Jarno Trulli repeated his Malaysian feat by coming home a strong second, while Ralf Schumacher battled through to fourth.
The pair?s combined tally of 13 points consolidated the team?s runner-up position in the constructors? championship and underscored the point that Toyota has finally broken into the ranks of the top teams.
?I am so pleased with this result,? said Trulli. ?The car performed amazingly well; it was quick and reliable with no issues whatsoever.?
After starting third the Italian inherited second place when Michael Schumacher retired in the early going.
He kept leader Fernando Alonso within sight until the first round of pit stops but then had to settle for second when the Renault driver unleashed a devastating middle stint.
?At the beginning I was looking pretty good and at one stage I was catching Fernando,? said Trulli.
?But I believe he was just waiting to look after the tyres and then mid-race when he started to push, he pulled away, and I realised that it was futile to try and catch him.
?For me it is a dream to be here on the podium again with Toyota. Three races, two second places ? it?s a pretty good start.?
Schumacher?s race was compromised by a mistake on his Saturday qualifying lap that left him 11th on the provisional grid.
He rebounded impressively in this morning?s final qualifying to annex sixth on the grid, albeit aided by a lighter fuel load that left him vulnerable at the first round of pit stops.
?The end result was dictated by the mistake in qualifying yesterday,? acknowledged Ralf, ?but the team did a great job to move me up some positions on the grid and I had a good race.
?After my fifth place in Malaysia and now fourth in Bahrain, it must be my turn for the podium next!?
