The Mercedes Formula 1 team gifted Sauber several bottles of champagne to aid in the celebrations following Nico Hulkenberg’s maiden podium finish in the championship.

After his 239th race start, the German driver drove from 19th on the grid to finish third, bagging his first podium and the F1 driver of the day poll award.

To mark the occasion, Mercedes gifted the Swiss-based outfit two bottles of champagne with a note. “Congratulations on your first podium! Your Mercedes Team,” the message on the gift bag read.

It was also reported that Aston Martin also gifted Sauber champagne following the milestone moment. Drivers also took the opportunity to congratulate Hulkenberg. “Yessss Nicooo. So happy for you,” four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen commented on social media. 

Esteban Ocon also wrote, “Mega job mate and very well deserved.”

“I am ecstatic – this is such a special day for the team and for me personally,” Hulkenberg reflected in a press release from the team. “That first podium feeling… I cannot put it into words. It was such an intense race with changing conditions all the time, and you always feel like you are right on the edge.

“We made the right calls today, especially stopping later for slicks — that decision was crucial and made all the difference. The battle with Lewis in the final stint was really intense.

“He was closing the gap, but I managed to keep him behind and even pull away a little as the tyres came in. I think if it had been a dry race, the day would have looked very different for us, but we made the most of the conditions and took every opportunity.

“Starting from last on the grid and finishing on the podium honestly feels kind of surreal. It’s going to take a few days, a few moments, to process everything and take it all in.

“It’s been a great team effort from start to finish, and I am really proud of what we achieved together. Now, we have two weeks to enjoy this and celebrate properly before we get back to work – and finish the first half of the season on a high.”

The 15 points that Hulkenberg collected with his podium finish saw the team move up to sixth in the constructors’ standings, 18 points adrift of Williams in fifth. The German driver sits ninth in the drivers’ championship with 37 points.

In this article

Lydia Mee

Formula 1

Nico Hulkenberg

Mercedes

Sauber

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