'Most overdue podium in F1 history' - Hülkenberg third in Britain

(L-R) McLaren Technical Director Peter Prodromou celebrates on the podium with British Formula 1 driver winner Lando Norris of team McLaren, his team mate Second placed Oscar Piastri and German third placed Nico Huelkenberg of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber following the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit. Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/dpa

Nico Hülkenberg’s maiden Formula One podium will serve as a huge boost for himself and the entire Sauber team.

There were scenes of huge joy in the garage of the Swiss team at Silverstone when the German veteran crossed the line in third place behind the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Hülkenberg, 37, achieved a first podium in his 239th grand prix since a 2010 debut, from 19th on the grid with the help of a clever team strategy on a wet track and amid several safety car phases.

“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,” he said.

Team principal Jonathan Wheatley spoke of “the most overdue podium in F1 history” after Hülkenberg’s previous best results were three fourth-place finishes.

Hülkenberg debuted in 2010 for Williams, drove for Sauber for the first time in 2013 and returned this season as the team prepares to become an Audi works team from 2026 onwards.

Hülkenberg was signed because of his vast experience and is partnered by youngster Gabriel Bortoleto, who remarkably was among those congratulating him via team radio after going out early.

Sauber motorsport chief operating and technical officer Mattia Binotti, once a Ferrari team principal, postponed his flight home to be with the team in the historic moment.

It marked Sauber’s first podium in 13 years since Kamui Kobayashi was third at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2012.

“We are making progress and earning points,” Binotto told Sky TV. “The people come to the factory with a smile on their face.

“I am super happy for Nico, he drove a fantastic race. It was a strong performance and we were lucky because of weather. But it’s not a matter of luck driving to third from the back of the grid.

“The car was fast but it was Nico who was fast and managed the tyres well.”

Everyone was happy for Hülkenberg who despite being a gifted driver never managed a place in a top team, with Piastri labelling his result “the highlight of the day.”

Hülkenberg moved up early in the race thanks to well-timed pit stops and the right tyre choices, and he then held off seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages to make history.

“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,” he said.

“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.’

“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.”

German Formula 1 driver Nico Huelkenberg of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber celebrates finishing third after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit. Andrew Matthews/PA Wire/dpa

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‘Most overdue podium in F1 history’ – Hülkenberg third in Britain

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