Autobayng News Team
Nico Hulkenberg admitted he was overwhelmed by the shock of scoring the first podium finish of his Formula 1 career.
The Sauber driver finally reached the rostrum in his 239th grand prix start, taking the record for the longest-ever wait for a first podium finish. His result was all the more remarkable as he started on the back row of the grid, 19th, and effectively last as Franco Colapinto failed to start.
“I’m happy but it’s a lot to take in, to process,” said the Sauber driver after rising to third place in the rain-hit grand prix. “It’s been a very intense race.
“It’s so intense for us in the car in these changeable conditions on a damp track. You always feel like with one foot [going wide] you’re in the wall when you’re exploring and on the limit and then trying to push.”
Hulkenberg moved up the order by making an early first pit stop for intermediate tyres. Towards the end of his second stint he passed Lance Stroll, then came under pressure from Lewis Hamilton behind.
He sensed the podium was a possibility as Hamilton struggled to close on him. “Before we pitted back onto slicks, I passed Lance. Then Lewis passed Lance pretty quickly, and then I was able to keep him at bay and even pull away when the inters started to wear more and more.
“So that was looking pretty positive and encouraging. Then I think we made a really good call by stopping one lap later than he did for the slicks, and we gained I think around 10 seconds. That gap was crucial.
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“From there onwards, it felt like a pretty long 10, 11, 12 laps, whatever it was. But from there onwards, I knew we had every chance to get this result. We just needed to keep it on the road while pushing.”
Having come close to finishing on the podium on several occasions, Hulkenberg admitted it was a “big relief” to finally do it. “I’m very happy, it’s a very positive day.
“From a massive low yesterday being almost last, literally, on the grid, to this result is kind of surreal. It’s going to take a few days to process everything and take it all in.
“The good news is we have two weeks now to enjoy it and to celebrate it properly before we go again.”
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2025 British Grand Prix
- “It’s surreal”: Hulkenberg overwhelmed to score first podium in 16-year career
- Hamilton says his Ferrari was “the most difficult car I’ve driven in these conditions”
- Norris had “scary moments” when he came close to crashing on way to home win
- Verstappen says spin at restart was due to set-up, not Piastri incident
- Tsunoda collects penalty points for third race in a row for tangle with Bearman
