SEPANG, Malaysia, March 23, 2008 (AFP) - Heikki Kovalainen said he was satisfied with his podium finish for McLaren at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday after a difficult Saturday for the team.

Both Kovalainen and team-mate Lewis Hamilton were penalised for blocking during qualifying, and had to start from eighth and ninth positions. The Finn managed to work his way through the field and finish in third place.

It was his second Formula One podium finish.

Given the circumstances, Kovalainen felt the team had to be happy with the outcome, although he confessed he wanted to be higher up.

"I think we have to be pleased with the result," said the Finn. "After yesterday's penalty it was going to be quite hard for us. Our strategy worked well and I was able to be in clear air all the time.

"I had a bit of trouble in the first stint with graining but the car worked pretty well. At the last stint I turned the engine down and kept it home.

"It was a good day, but I would have liked to be a few positions higher, but this was the most we could do today."

He added: "It is always tough but I felt fairly good after the race, no big problems. We worked hard with the team and my doctor to make sure I am in better shape than last year. I think the work has paid off."

Kovalainen, who finished fifth in the season opener in Australia, admitted he had problems with the graining of his tyres.

"It was always going to be the laps at the end of the stint that we felt were stronger relative to the others. Early on in the stints graining was compromising our pace a little bit, which is why team kept me on track longer.

"It was the right thing to do as I was able to jump Jarno (Trulli) and bring it home."