Jarno Trulli feels his victory at the Monaco Grand Prix has given Formula One a new lease of life.

The Italian claimed his first grand prix victory around the twisty Principality streets on Sunday after a race which saw more excitement from 77 laps than in the previous five races put together.

The safety car was called out twice; firstly for a frightening accident which saw Giancarlo Fisichella's Sauber fly through the air before landing upside down on a steel barrier.

Fisichella was unhurt after ramming David Coulthard's McLaren when smoke engulfed the track from Takuma Sato's BAR.

Fernando Alonso prompted another safety car period when he crashed spectacularly in the tunnel before Michael Schumacher was forced out following an altercation with Juan Pablo Montoya.

More drama was to come when Jenson Button launched a late bid for victory, slicing into Trulli's lead to finish just 0.4seconds behind after a thrilling chase.

Trulli feels such an exciting race on Formula One's most glamorous and famous circuit will boost the sport's public image, which had suffered with Michael Schumacher's domination.

The six-time world champion had won all five races this season prior to Monaco and Trulli said: "In general the race was interesting because so many things happened - we have a new winner and different podium finishers. I'm just driving and doing my best - I want to be up here as much as possible.

"I wish for myself and for Formula One that we have different winners in the future because otherwise it can be a little bit boring.

"In Monaco we got a different winner and I hope we can stop the Ferrari domination a little bit.

"Ferrari are the best team, they have best car with best driver. They are the men to beat but everyone else is working very hard. There is no reason why we cannot win - now it is my turn, maybe next time it is Rubens [Barrichello] or Jenson or someone else."

Button also hailed the unpredictable race as a shot in the arm for Formula One.

After equalling his career best result, the Englishman is on a high going into the next race, Sunday's European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

The BAR driver said: "I think it's obviously good for the sport. This is a race which a lot of people watch and it's got to really help the sport to have a different winner.

"I didn't know the race was that exciting because I didn't really see that many people on the same lap as me but if the race is exciting it's good.

"On a circuit you can't overtake on, if you can have an exciting race I think we've all got to look forward to Nurburgring."

Button feels his four podium finishes so far this season - after failing to make the top three in his previous four years in Formula One - are a mark of how far he has progressed.

The Frome-born racer became the youngest grand prix driver in history when he made his debut with Williams in 2000, but he feels fans are only now seeing his true abilities.

"You want to win but I can take away second and I'll be pretty happy and roll on the next race," he added. "It's great to have two second places under my belt and two thirds, the championship is pretty strong for me - it's very good.

"I think I've come a long way, not in terms of driving too much but putting in a lot more time with the team.

"We are a very close team that has improved in the last year and a half. We are a team on the up, we are still a young team, learning all the time but I think we are doing pretty well at the moment.

"Our strategy seemed to perform well, we just need more time to improve and get closer to the Ferraris because when we get to Nurburgring they are going to be very strong."