Hülkenberg: The Podium No One Dared to Expect Anymore

After 239 Grands Prix, Nico Hulkenberg has finally claimed the first podium of his career, finishing third in a chaotic and unpredictable British Grand Prix at Silverstone. A race that turned years of patience into a roar of joy that echoed across the entire paddock.

Photo: Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber

Starting from P19, Hulkenberg pulled off bold strategy calls with precision. One of the smartest moves came when he opted for medium tyres, going against the advice of the Sauber pit wall, a decision that changed the course of his race.

Until now, he held the unwanted record of being the driver with the most races without a podium in Formula 1 history. But on this unforgettable Sunday, Hulkenberg turned that burden into a triumph.

As Sauber’s team principal Jonathan Wheatley put it: “The most overdue podium in F1 history”. It was a day that awakened the spirit of Sauber, whose last podium dated all the way back to Kobayashi’s third place in Japan, 2012. In the spray of champagne, Hulkenberg finally found what he had long deserved: “a rain of happiness” shared with drivers up and down the grid.

From Fernando Alonso to Max Verstappen, including Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz, recognition was unanimous. His teammate Gabriel Bortoleto summed it up perfectly over the radio: “You’re a legend”.

At last, Hulkenberg has lifted the weight of his “endless race”. In doing so, he gave himself, the team, and the fans a moment they will never forget, a moment that now stands as a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering belief in one’s own path.