Nico Hulkenberg Ends 15-Year F1 Curse with a Heroic Podium at Silverstone

After 239 F1 race starts, Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg finally got his moment under the spotlight at Silverstone. The German driver crossed the line in third place at the British Grand Prix, stepping onto the F1 podium for the very first time. It wasn’t just a big day for him—it was a long-overdue celebration for Sauber too, who hadn’t tasted podium success since 2012. For years, Hulkenberg was known as the driver with the most races without a podium. No matter how hard he pushed, that top-three finish always slipped away.

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Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg said: 'I am ecstatic — this is such a special day for the team and for me personally. 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.'

Starting from the 19th, he raced with heart and focus. He timed his moves perfectly, made smart tyre calls, and kept his cool when Lewis Hamilton came charging behind. It was the kind of performance that reminded fans why he’s stayed in the game this long.

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This podium wasn’t just a personal win. It was a moment of pride for Sauber, who’ve had more tough weekends than good ones in recent years. The result pushed them up to sixth in the team standings—and gave Hulkenberg the reward he’s worked towards for over a decade.