McLaren at last have some points on the board after making their worst-ever start to a Formula One season - something Jenson Button admits "feels like winning a race".
Monaco has been a happy hunting ground for the team in years gone by, with their 15 wins on the streets of the principality making them the most successful constructor in history.
There was never likely to be another win to add to that this time around, but Button's eighth-place finish felt like a win itself.
It saw the Working-based team score their first points of a season which has started worse than any other since entering the category in 1966.
Issues still remain with the new Honda power unit and there will not be too much backslapping, but Button knows the result in Monte Carlo was a positive "stepping stone" for McLaren.
"We have made progress every race with at least one car, but people don't really notice it until you are in the points," the 2009 world champion said.
"Every race we have gained a couple of places in qualifying and had got closer and closer.
"To finally get the points is great, but this is not a sudden leap forward. It is just a general step forward that we've had every race.
"I think the next race we won't have a step forward in terms of performance because there's a lot of long straights and it just a circuit that won't suit as well. But you never know, we might still get some points there."
The trip to Canada may certainly prove a more trying test than Monaco, where McLaren fans were out in force despite recent struggles.
"Most people are surprised that McLaren haven't won a point before this race," Button said. "It is understandable that people are like 'what are they doing?'
"But these things take time, as we well know. We've been around for a long time and it is such a competitive sport.
"To come in now to the sixth race with a brand new engine, and everyone else has had a season with their engine in, and to score points feels like winning a race.
"It is a good step forwards but we also know there is a long way to go before we're fighting at the front."
It was not all positive at the Circuit de Monaco as Fernando Alonso saw his hopes of points go up in smoke when his afternoon ended after 41 laps with an unspecified overheating issue.
Despite that, the two-time world champion is keeping positive - "having these problems this year is good because it means we won't repeat them next year" - and those sentiments were echoed by Button.
"If you're not at the front fighting for wins, you might as well be where we've been," the British driver said. "The thing is that we're seeing improvements. It's not like we're sitting still.
"If you are sitting still and near the back, it's bloody tough but when you're with a new project and things are improving every race - and I don't just mean lap times, I mean the way that we work, the understanding between McLaren and Honda, progress in many different areas - it keeps you very positive, even if like Fernando and myself you've been at the front for many years.
"All good things that are worth fighting for take time and take a lot of effort, energy and mental strength."
Source: PA
