Sauber’s Wheatley: ‘The monkey is off Hulkenberg’s back’

Nico Hulkenberg finally erased the longest podium drought in Formula 1 history on Sunday at Silverstone, with a thrilling drive that left Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley full of admiration for the veteran driver’s class, resilience, and racecraft.

After starting from the rear of the grid following a difficult qualifying, Hulkenberg delivered a superb recovery drive in a wet-dry British Grand Prix to clinch third place – and with it, his first career podium after 239 races in the sport.

Wheatley described the achievement as a defining moment, lifting a significant weight off Hulkenberg’s shoulders, or the proverbial “monkey off his back”.

A Flawless Drive in Chaotic Conditions

Starting from P19 after a tough qualifying, Hulkenberg immediately benefitted from a group of five drivers that opted to pit at the end of the formation lap, powering up the order and later capitalizing on a timely switch to fresh Intermediate tyres to reach fifth.

A mistake by Max Verstappen elevated him to fourth, and after overtaking Lance Stroll, he held off Lewis Hamilton’s late charge to claim third.

“I think he was almost in a state of shock when we saw him under the podium and chatted to him,” Wheatley told the media at Silverstone.

“How do I sum it? I’m just trying to stay in the moment and enjoy it rather than this relentless sort of merry-go-round that we’re on to the next race and next race.”

Wheatley was nevertheless effusive about Hulkenberg’s drive.

“Nico drove an outstanding race today, one of the best I’ve seen at Silverstone and one of the best I’ve seen of any driver ever and it seems incredible to me that we’re all celebrating a podium race,” he added.

“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, didn’t put a wheel wrong and the team made all the right decisions in terms of strategy.

“Stayed out when we needed to stay out and then switch to the Medium at the right time – I’m just very, very proud of everyone.”

A Milestone for a Resilient Talent

Reflecting on Hulkenberg’s place in F1, Wheatley highlighted the driver’s enduring talent and the significance of the podium.

“I can’t speak for anyone other than myself. 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,” commented the former Red Bull sporting director.

“It seemed incredible to me that he’s never achieved a podium in his career. I think he showed today what he’s capable of and I think also for him it’s a milestone – the monkey is off his back.”

Sauber’s strategic acumen was also crucial, with Wheatley noting the pivotal tyre decisions.

“We had an eye on the weather that was coming, which I think is what everyone did, and then I think Nico just felt like his intermediates had just had it and he thought the same.

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“So we boxed him at that point – it was absolutely the right decision and I think then the other significant decision, given Lewis’ pace, was the time that we boxed onto the Medium tyre after that.”

For Sauber, the podium ends a 12-year wait and for Hulkenberg, it ends an agonising one – but with Silverstone now in the rear-view mirror, it may mark the beginning of a new chapter for both team and driver.

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