What Nico Hulkenberg's surprise F1 podium means for…

You have to really want to get to the far end of the Silverstone paddock, as there is not a need to wander down that far unless you have a reason – especially in the rain. But on Sunday evening after a wet British Grand Prix, it was the only place to be as Sauber filled its hospitality unit with music, champagne and celebrations.

Nico Hulkenberg, at the 239th time of asking, had finally achieved his first-ever Formula 1 podium, having driven a perfect race from the back row of the grid. There was no doubting the 37-year-old was the deserved centre of attention; every member of the Sauber team wanted a picture with the German and his LEGO podium trophy.

But as the champagne corks popped on bottles delivered to the bottom end of the paddock by Mercedes and Aston Martin, as Sauber had not anticipated requiring so much bubbly, the team was also toasting a milestone on its own journey to become the works Audi squad from next season.

The joy of a third-place finish behind the dominating McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri led to chants, pitlane photographs and a delay to team principal Jonathan Wheatley’s post-race media session – which was the best-attended since he stepped into the role earlier in 2025.

As expected, Hulkenberg’s fine achievement was the first business on the agenda for a man who had witnessed plenty of podiums, victories and championships during his time as Red Bull’s sporting director.

“Nico drove an outstanding race today. One of the best I've seen at Silverstone. One of the best I've seen of any driver, ever,” he enthused.

Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber and Mattia Binotto, COO and CTO of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber (Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images)

“It seems incredible to me that we're all celebrating a podium, as 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.

“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. 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.”

Does Wheatley therefore think that Hulkenberg could be capable of even more? “I think given the right race car, given the right circumstances, he's capable of delivering that. I have no doubt he can win a race,” he added.

The podium mattered to Hulkenberg, but it also matters to Sauber – it was the team’s first since 2012, and continued a run of results that had also seen it take a double points finish at the previous round in Austria, where rookie Gabriel Bortoleto was the most eye-catching of the two drivers.

Having suffered a dismal 2024 scoring just four points and not producing a car for the current season that seemed likely to change its trajectory, Sauber vaulted to the midfield through vital upgrades – and the arrival of Wheatley.

“I think we've talked about how important momentum is in a team. And so really, for me, what I take from today is people start believing in us,” said Wheatley.

“I can say the words. I can say we're gaining momentum, I can say we're putting performance on the tarmac. I can say that Mattia [Binotto, Sauber COO and CTO] and all the hard work he's been putting in before I came here is coming to light.

“But it's true. We've got a very long journey towards where we need to be as a team. And it's a great stepping stone on that journey. The team made all the right decisions in terms of strategy - stayed out when we needed to stay out and then switched to the medium at the right time, and I'm just very, very proud of everyone.

“It was not only the strategy, but it was also a very good pace today in those conditions. I think if it had been a dry race today, perhaps I wouldn't have so many of you stood around me right now!

“We faced our challenges with the C45 and this really didn't feel like a circuit that would suit us. But I think, you know, cometh the hour, cometh the man, and Nico drove an incredible race.”

It leaves Sauber sixth in the constructors’ standings, a position that seems so remarkable given it was tipped by many to finish bottom once again.