Hulkenberg ‘in denial’ of milestone F1 podium until last pitstop

After 239 starts, countless near-misses, and a career defined by gritty determination, Nico Hulkenberg finally climbed onto the Formula 1 podium at the 2025 British Grand Prix.

The Sauber driver’s third-place finish on Sunday was a triumphant milestone, ending his long-held record as the driver with the most Grand Prix starts without a podium.

In a race packed with drama, rain, and relentless pressure, the German’s breakthrough moment was nothing short of electrifying. Hulkenberg’s journey to the Silverstone podium was a rollercoaster of emotion, strategy, and sheer willpower.

Starting from the back of the pack in P19, he navigated the chaotic, rain-soaked early laps with precision, taking advantage of five drivers starting from the pit lane as they gambled on dry rubber.

As the track dried and then turned wet again, Hulkenberg’s Sauber shone, with perfectly timed pitstops propelling him into contention. By the race’s final stages, he found himself in third, fending off none other than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who was chasing him down in front of a roaring home crowd.

Battling Denial and Hamilton’s Charge

As Hulkenberg held his own, the weight of his elusive podium loomed large.

“I think I was in denial, till, like, probably the last pit stop,” he admitted post-race, his voice tinged with disbelief. The gap to Hamilton, who was charging in his Ferrari, had grown after a strategic extra lap on intermediates.

“Then when I heard we opened the gap to Lewis quite a bit with the one extra lap, so this is good. This is some breathing space,” he added.

“But then, he was catching quite quickly. So, the pressure was there. It was an intense race.”

Hamilton, the most successful driver in British Grand Prix history, was a daunting presence in Hulkenberg’s mirrors.

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“Yes, I was thinking that, you know, obviously he's going to give it all here in front of his own crowd,” Hulkenberg said. “And I was like, ‘no, sorry guys, but you know, it's also my day. I gotta, you know, stick my neck out.’

“But like I said, we didn't crack, no mistakes. And obviously, really, really happy with that, fantastic,” he said, reflecting on the flawless execution that secured his podium. His gratitude extended to the Silverstone faithful, whose energy buoyed him throughout the weekend.

“Super happy. And thank you very much for the great energy and support here every year,” he added.

A Surreal Race of Survival

The 37-year-old’s podium was a testament to his resilience in a race defined by “crazy conditions, mixed conditions.” Hulkenberg described it as a “survival fight for a lot of the race,” but his team’s sharp strategy and his own error-free driving made the difference.

“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest. Not sure how it all happened, but obviously crazy conditions, mixed conditions,” he said.

“It was, you know, survival fight for a lot of the race, I think we just were really on it. The right calls, the right tyres in the right moment, made no mistakes. And, quite, quite incredible.”

For Hulkenberg, the moment was a long-awaited vindication.

“It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it? But, yeah, I always knew, you know, we have it in us. I have it in me somewhere,” he said with a mix of relief and pride.

Coming off a strong 2024 season with Haas, Hulkenberg has carried his form into Sauber’s 2025 campaign, setting the stage for Audi’s arrival next year. His podium not only erases a dubious record but also cements his legacy as a midfield maestro capable of delivering when it counts.

As the German veteran stood proud on the podium, spraying champagne under the Silverstone sky, the weight of 239 races lifted.

For a driver who has long been respected for his talent and tenacity, this was more than a third-place finish – it was a historic triumph. With Audi’s future looming, Hulkenberg’s performance sends a clear message: the German veteran is ready to lead the charge.

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