Finally, Nico: Hulkenberg’s First Formula 1 Podium at Silverstone

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Scritto da Letizia Ganci

6 July 2025

Silverstone celebrates Hulkenberg’s first Formula 1 podium after 239 starts: the German crossed the line in third place behind Lando Norris – the GP winner – and Oscar Piastri.

As the chequered flag waved at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone turned into an open-air celebration, and one name filled the air: Nico Hulkenberg. At 37 years old and with 239 Formula 1 starts to his name, the German driver finally made it onto the podium. Despite the race victory going to British driver Lando Norris, the spotlight was all on the Sauber driver, who celebrated his first-ever top-three finish in the pinnacle of motorsport on the historic British track.

A result that, on the eve of the Grand Prix in the homeland of Formula 1, would have seemed unimaginable. The predictions were clear: the race was expected to end in a familiar way, with Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, and Lando Norris as the main protagonists (though not necessarily in that order). However, what turned the race on its head at Silverstone was the rain — and a brilliant strategy from the Swiss team during a race dominated by chaos and mistakes.

Finally, Nico: Hulkenberg's First Formula 1 Podium at Silverstone
Finally, Nico: Hulkenberg’s First Formula 1 Podium at Silverstone

The Lesson of Hulkenberg’s First Podium: “Today Had to Be My Day”

In a Formula 1 career where everything moves at lightning speed, there are moments when crucial factors start to weigh heavily — doubts about one’s future, the wait for a long-desired podium, or simply the passing of time and age that, eventually, signals the end of racing in the world’s fastest cars. But that wasn’t the case for Sauber’s No. 27 this weekend at Silverstone.

A smile lit up the German driver’s face as he climbed out of his car and rushed to celebrate with his team — a result that wasn’t just his alone. It was a moment of redemption and revival for a team that, only twelve Grands Prix ago, had finished the season last in the Constructors’ standings with just 4 points. It may also be seen as a prologue to the team’s next chapter as Audi prepares to enter Formula 1.

Just last week, Sauber was celebrating the first career points of Gabriel Bortoleto, the team’s rookie who joined F1 this season after winning the Formula 2 title last year. But on this first Sunday of July, it was his veteran teammate’s turn to celebrate.

We have it in us — I have it in me somewhere. It’s pretty surreal, to be honest ,” said Hulkenberg in his post-race interviews, voicing a dream shared by every F1 driver. A dream he might have put aside, only for it to come rushing back amid the turns of Silverstone, as he fought off a charging Lewis Hamilton in his SF-25. Hulkenberg delivered a vital lesson: some goals simply take more time than others to reach — slow-cooked results, seasoned in the rain, waiting for their moment without ever losing sight of the finish line.

I’m not even sure how it all happened, but clearly the conditions were crazy — mixed conditions. It was a survival battle for a good part of the race. I think we really nailed it. The right decisions, the right tyres at the right time, no mistakes. Quite incredible, ” he continued, recounting the strategy that led to the remarkable result.

It was an intense race. But like I said, we didn’t crack, no mistakes. Obviously, I’m really, really happy about that. I thought he [Lewis Hamilton] would give everything here in front of his home crowd, and I was like: sorry guys, but today is my day too. I’ve got to stick my neck out. I’m super happy. And thank you so much for the incredible energy and support I get here every year ,” concluded Nico Hulkenberg, third across the finish line behind Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Photos: Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber.

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Letizia Ganci

25 giri attorno al sole, laureata in Comunicazione e da sempre appassionata di motorsport e scrittura. Dal 2024, parte della redazione di GPKingdom.

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