Nico Hulkenberg completed third at Silverstone for Kick Sauber to attain his maiden F1 podium on the 239th time of asking. For a driver one month in need of his thirty eighth birthday, it was an unimaginable consequence – not least as a result of it was achieved from nineteenth on the grid.
The German made his F1 debut all the best way again in 2010, and his profession within the sport over when he was left and not using a seat on the conclusion of the 2019 season.
However after two years on the sidelines bar a handful of ‘tremendous sub’ appearances, Hulkenberg was handed a lifeline to return to F1 in 2022 with Haas – and since then has put in a string of sturdy performances.
You solely have to have a look at the final handful of races, since Kick Sauber launched an improve bundle, to see the type of performances the German is delivering. P16 on the grid in Spain turned fifth on the flag, P13 on the grid in Canada resulted in an eighth-place end after which Hulkenberg began twentieth final weekend in Austria, climbing as much as end ninth.
All of these outcomes had been dwarfed by his drive at Silverstone, together with his colleagues previous and new swift to supply their congratulations.
Group mate Gabriel Bortoleto was available to hug the German as he parked up on the finish of the race, saying: “Congratulations to Nico! Seeing him struggle for the rostrum and obtain this consequence after so a few years in Method 1 means rather a lot. He’s the most effective teammate I’ve ever labored with – each as a driver and as an individual – and he completely deserves this second: I’m genuinely glad for him.”
Max Verstappen was additionally swift to go over to Hulkenberg in parc ferme and shake his hand, earlier than saying afterwards that “the race wasn’t that gratifying for me however it was good to see Nico get his first podium and I’m positive he will probably be celebrating tonight.”
Oscar Piastri shared the rostrum with Hulkenberg, and whereas the Australian was one other left dissatisfied with their very own consequence, seeing the Sauber driver’s celebrations at the very least tempered Piastri’s personal frustrations.
“Properly finished to Nico – I believe that’s the spotlight of the day,” Piastri stated in his post-race interview.
‘He’s at all times been a top-five driver’
Williams’ Carlos Sainz – a former staff mate of Hulkenberg at Renault in 2018 – was additionally vastly complimentary in the direction of the German after he secured his long-awaited podium. “Congrats – he should have finished a really strong race to be up there in P3,” the Spaniard instructed media.
“Truthfully, for me, the truth that folks stored cursing him, the truth that he didn’t have any podiums, for me it was fully irrelevant. For me, he’s at all times been a top-five driver within the grid each time he’s been in F1 – his stage of expertise and race execution is unimaginable.”
Williams Group Principal James Vowles additionally added: “Congratulations to Sauber and to Nico – a unprecedented consequence in the present day and well-earned in these tough circumstances.”
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was the person chasing Hulkenberg within the closing levels of the race, unable to get shut sufficient to steal the rostrum place and keep his streak of podium finishes at Silverstone.
Whereas his personal streak got here to an finish, the Briton praised what the Sauber driver had achieved. “Third place felt inside attain at instances however credit score to Nico on his first podium, he drove a robust race,” Hamilton concluded
“Congratulations to Nico for his podium, it is an important achievement for him and his staff,” added Hamilton’s staff mate Charles Leclerc, earlier than staff boss Fred Vasseur gave his personal opinion: “Lastly, congratulations to Nico on his first podium. Given his undoubted expertise, he deserves it.”
The final phrase needed to go to Piastri although, who turned to Hulkenberg within the post-race press convention and requested the German how he felt about his first ever F1 trophy being made from… Lego.
“I really like Lego!” laughed the German. “It is good. My daughter can play with it too.
“You’ve at all times acquired to see the intense aspect. However, you recognize, a little bit of silver or gold would have been good too, however I will not complain.”
