Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto has insisted teammate Nico Hulkenberg should have been fighting for Formula 1 world championships after celebrating the German’s first podium at the 2025 British Grand Prix.
Hulkenberg had held the record for most grands prix without a top-three finish until breaking that duck at the 239th attempt with a breathtaking drive from 19th to third at Silverstone, mastering the strategy with his team as others struggled for pace in wet-to-dry conditions.
Despite crashing out of the race when gambling early on a set of slicks on a damp track, Bortoleto congratulated Hulkenberg on his achievement and joined in the jubilant celebrations post-race.
“I was super happy for him because it is just a nice story,” Bortoleto told Total-Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview.
“Fifteen years trying to get a podium, so many things went [wrong] through his career and the thing is, if he was a shit driver and then got a podium then I wouldn’t be that happy, but he is such a talented guy and to see a guy like him never getting a podium in his career was just very frustrating and not right.
“He should have been a championship title fighter but it is what it is, that’s his career and I am sure he is proud of his performances in Formula 1.”
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Catch up with Total Motorsport's latest Singapore GP coverage, including Max Verstappen's victory at Marina Bay, Ferrari's costly strategy gamble, the full race classification, and the updated 2026 Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' Championship standings.
‘Crazy’ Goodwood debut
F1 rookie Bortoleto was talking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and, on his first appearance at the British event, he was able to drive the 2013 Sauber C32 up the famous hillclimb to wow spectators.
“It is great to be in Goodwood for the first time, seeing so many cool cars driving around and learning a bit about the history about sports, not only Formula 1 but everything,” Bortoleto explained.
“It is very enjoyable and incredible to see a lot of drivers as well that I used to hear about just by name but maybe don’t know their faces. Then they come up and introduce themselves or I meet someone that someone is introducing me to and they are a legend of the sport, and I am like ‘this is crazy, I am talking to someone like that’. It is cool.”
While Bortoleto’s own British Grand Prix ended in disappointment after a gamble on slick tyres in mixed conditions, he was quick to join in the celebrations for Hulkenberg’s milestone achievement. As Sauber continues to impress with recent upgrades and a new fighting spirit, both drivers will hope Silverstone is just the beginning of a new chapter.
