Autobayng News Team
Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley said he has always regarded Nico Hulkenberg as a top-class talent after he scored his first podium finish last weekend.
Hulkenberg, who made his Formula 1 debut in 2010, scored his first podium finish at his 239th attempt at Silverstone.
“I think he was almost in a state of shock when I saw him under the podium and chatted to him,” Wheatley told media including RaceFans after the race.
Hulkenberg had scored points in the previous three races. But having qualified only 19th at Silverstone he appeared to have little chance of continuing that run – let alone achieving a breakthrough podium finish.
“Nico drove an outstanding race,” said Wheatley. “One of the best I’ve seen at Silverstone and one of the best that I’ve ever seen of any driver ever.”
“He showed his class, didn’t put a wheel wrong and the team made all the right decisions in terms of strategy,” he added. “We stayed out when we needed to stay out and then switched to the medium at the right time. I’m just very, very proud of everyone.”
The team suffered a scare at Hulkenberg’s final pit stop, which was slightly slow, but he had enough of a margin over Lewis Hamilton to secure his podium finish.
“I think, honestly, there was a little bit of nerves today in the pit crew,” Wheatley admitted. “I don’t want to take away from the fact we’re still a young team, we’re getting to know each other, there’s more confidence. I’ve been on this journey before and it takes a little while for everyone to feel fully confident.”
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The former Red Bull sporting director, who took charge at Sauber three months ago, has worked with drivers including Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher. He believes Hulkenberg deserves to have been a consistent podium finisher throughout his career.
“It seems incredible to me that we’re all celebrating a podium as it feels to me like he should have been getting them all his career,” he said. “It seems to be the longest-awaited podium ever.
Hulkenberg returned to Sauber this year having previously driven for them in 2013. Prior to that he impressed in his debut season for Williams in 2010, beating the championship contenders to take pole position for the penultimate round at Interlagos, only to lose his drive as the team needed the budget brought by Pastor Maldonado.
He spent two spells at Force India (now Aston Martin) and almost won for the team at Interlagos in 2012. He had other podium near-misses when he joined Renault’s revived works F1 team, and his F1 career appeared to be over when he lost his drive with them at the end of 2019.
However following several impressive appearances as a substitute driver Hulkenberg made a successful return to full-time racing at Haas. Sauber, which will become Audi’s works F1 team next year, snapped him up early last season.
“I’ve considered him to be an extraordinary talent for a very long time and I think I’ve been consistent in saying that to everyone here,” said Wheatley. “It seemed incredible to me that he’s never achieved a podium in his career.
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“I think he showed what he’s capable of and I think also for him it’s a milestone. The monkey’s off his back.”
“Given the right race car, given the right circumstances, he’s capable of delivering,” he added. “I have no doubt he can win a race.”
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2025 British Grand Prix
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