“Cometh the hour, cometh the person” – Sauber and Hulkenberg take pleasure in shock F1 British GP podium

It's important to actually need to get to the far finish of the Silverstone paddock, as there's not a must wander down that far until you've got a purpose – particularly within the rain. However on Sunday night after a moist British Grand Prix, it was the one place to be as Sauber crammed its hospitality unit with music, champagne and celebrations.

Nico Hulkenberg, on the 239th time of asking, had lastly achieved his first-ever System 1 podium, having pushed an ideal race from the again row of the grid. There was no doubting the 37-year-old was the deserved centre of consideration; each member of the Sauber staff needed an image with the German and his LEGO podium trophy.

However because the champagne corks popped on bottles delivered to the underside finish of the paddock by Mercedes and Aston Martin, as Sauber had not anticipated requiring a lot bubbly, the staff was additionally toasting a milestone by itself journey to develop into the works Audi squad from subsequent season.

The enjoyment of a third-place end behind the dominating McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri led to chants, pitlane images and a delay to staff principal Jonathan Wheatley's post-race media session – which was the best-attended since he stepped into the function earlier in 2025.

As anticipated, Hulkenberg's wonderful achievement was the primary enterprise on the agenda for a person who had witnessed loads of podiums, victories and championships throughout his time as Pink Bull's sporting director.

“Nico drove an excellent race right this moment. Probably the greatest I've seen at Silverstone. Probably the greatest I've seen of any driver, ever,” he enthused.

“It appears unimaginable to me that we're all celebrating a podium, because it feels to me like he ought to have been getting all of them his profession. It appears to be the longest-waited podium ever. He confirmed his class right this moment, did not put a wheel flawed.

“I've thought-about him to be a unprecedented expertise for a really very long time. And I believe I have been constant in saying that to everybody right here. It appeared unimaginable to me that he is by no means achieved a podium in his profession. I believe he confirmed right this moment what he is able to.”

Does Wheatley subsequently assume that Hulkenberg might be able to much more? “I believe given the correct race automobile, given the correct circumstances, he is able to delivering that. I've little doubt he can win a race,” he added.

The rostrum mattered to Hulkenberg, nevertheless it additionally issues to Sauber – it was the staff's first since 2012, and continued a run of outcomes that had additionally seen it take a double-points end on the earlier spherical in Austria, the place rookie Gabriel Bortoleto was probably the most eye-catching of the 2 drivers.

Having suffered a dismal 2024 scoring simply 4 factors and never producing a automobile for the present season that appeared more likely to change its trajectory, Sauber vaulted to the midfield by way of important upgrades – and the arrival of Wheatley.

“I believe we have talked about how vital momentum is in a staff. And so actually, for me, what I take from right this moment is folks begin believing in us,” stated Wheatley. 

“I can say the phrases. I can say we're gaining momentum, I can say we're placing efficiency on the tarmac. I can say that Mattia (Binotto, Sauber COO and CTO) and all of the laborious work he is been placing in earlier than I got here right here is coming to mild. 

“Nevertheless it's true. We have got a really lengthy journey in direction of the place we must be as a staff. And it is a fantastic stepping stone on that journey. The staff made all the correct selections when it comes to technique – stayed out after we wanted to remain out after which switched to the medium on the proper time and I am simply very, very pleased with everybody.

“It was not solely the technique, nevertheless it was additionally an excellent tempo right this moment in these circumstances. I believe if it had been a dry race right this moment, maybe I would not have so lots of you stood round me proper now!

“We confronted our challenges with the C45 and this actually did not really feel like a circuit that might swimsuit us. However I believe, you realize, cometh the hour, cometh the person and Nico drove an unimaginable race.”

It leaves Sauber sixth within the constructors' standings, a place that appears so exceptional given it was tipped by many to complete backside as soon as once more.