As Nico Hulkenberg crossed the finish line in third place at the British Grand Prix, he put an end to the longest wait for a podium in Formula 1 history. The emotion from the German was palpable as he spoke over the radio to his race engineer, Steven Petrik. But it was a message from Gabriel Bortoleto that struck a chord with viewers.
“I don’t think I can comprehend what we’ve just done, oh my God,” the Sauber driver said, almost breathless as he came to terms with his achievement.
Still processing what took him 239 race starts to accomplish, his team-mate jumped onto the radio.
“Nico, it’s Gabi, you have no idea how happy I am for you, you’re a legend. Absolutely insane what you did today,” he said.
Hulkenberg showed little optimism after Saturday’s qualifying, placing him 19th on the starting grid. But through the chaos of a rain-soaked track emerged a driver worthy of a podium – a driver who kept pushing despite the clouds of defeat hanging over him with a team behind him craving his success.
“Thank you, buddy,” he responded. “Thank you very much, appreciate that from you.”
Photo by: Clive Rose / Getty Images
Making it all the more special, former Haas team-mate Kevin Magnussen was in the Sauber garage waiting for him, too. Several other drivers had good things to say. Carlos Sainz was quick to praise the German.
“For me he’s always been a top-five driver in the grid every time he’s been in F1. His level of talent and race execution is incredible.”
Max Verstappen also commented.
“It was very nice to see. Because when you’re in F1 for such a long time and you have not been on the podium, and being so close a few times, I think this is pretty special for him.”
Even Oscar Piastri, frustrated with his own race, shared in the celebrations.
“Congratulations to Nico, that’s the story of the day.”
This also marks Sauber’s first podium since the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix where Kamui Kobayashi finished third. While the team has endured plenty of struggles recently, the last few races have seen an incredible turnaround for the squad. Bortoleto received his first points at last week’s Austrian Grand Prix, and since the Spanish Grand Prix, Hulkenberg has scored more points than both Red Bull drivers. 2026 looks to be even more positive as Audi’s takeover of the team takes place.
The race end saw the Sauber team dancing in celebration as their drivers drank champagne in the middle of it.
Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley was over the moon with the result, despite a DNF from his rookie driver.
“One of the best drives I’ve seen at Silverstone,” he said on Hulkenberg’s Sunday campaign. “One of the best I’ve seen of any driver ever. And it seems incredible to me that we’re all (finally) celebrating a podium.
“It feels to me like he should have been getting them all his career. It seems to be the longest-waited podium ever. He showed his class today. He didn’t put a wheel wrong. And the team made all the right decisions in terms of strategy.”
In this article
Alex Harrington
Formula 1
Nico Hulkenberg
Gabriel Bortoleto
Sauber
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