Nico Hulkenberg secured his first F1 podium at the 239th time of asking during the 2025 British Grand Prix, with the German steering his Sauber to P3 in what was a chaotic Silverstone race.
The action on Sunday began on the intermediate tyre with the track getting close to being ready for slicks, with some cars even pitting for slicks immediately after the formation lap. That would be the first of many tyre calls that Sauber and Hulkenberg got right as the weather continued to change and the safety car continued to be called out.
After overtaking Lance Stroll on track to take P3, it soon became clear that Hulkenberg would need to keep Lewis Hamilton behind him if he was to get the long-awaited first podium.
The final pit stop saw Hamilton go onto the soft tyre, whilst Hulkenberg was on the medium, and the Ferrari driver could never quite find enough grip to put any real pressure on the Sauber.
Hulkenberg long F1 podium wait comes to an end
Hulkenberg‘s Formula 1 career began all the way back in 2010 when he was signed by Williams, and he has been a regular in the paddock ever since. He has had short spells as a reserve driver for various teams, but returned to a full-time drive with Haas in 2023. Now at Sauber, it seemed implausible that his first podium would come in this particular car, especially given the pace shown in 2024.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Hulkenberg himself admitted that it has been a long wait for this moment, especially considering he actually started the race from P19.
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“It feels good. It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it? But I always knew we have it in us, I have it in me, somewhere. What a race. Coming from virtually last, doing it all over again from last weekend,” Hulkenberg said.
“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest. I’m not sure how it all happened, but obviously crazy, mixed conditions.
“It was a survival fight for a lot of the race. I think we just were really on it with the right calls, the right tyres in the right moment, made no mistakes – quite incredible.”
Considering he had gone 238 races without a podium, it is not surprising to hear that Hulkenberg remained pessimistic until the final pit stop, assuming that Hamilton would find a way past.
“I was in denial until probably the last pit stop, but then when I heard we gapped Lewis quite a bit with the one extra lap, I was like, ‘ok, this is good, this is some breathing space’,” he said.
“But then he was catching quite quickly, so the pressure was there. It was an intense race but we didn’t crack, no mistakes, and obviously really, really happy with that.
“I was thinking that he’s going to give it all in front of his home crowd, and I was like, ‘sorry guys, but it’s also my day.’ I had to stick my neck out. I’m super happy.”
