Hulkenberg was “in denial” forward of emotional F1 British GP podium

Nico Hulkenberg revealed he was “in denial” {that a} first Method 1 podium end was doable on the British Grand Prix till very late on at Silverstone.

The Sauber driver completed third behind a McLaren 1-2 to finish his a lot undesirable report of getting a report 238 grand prix begins with no podium.

Hulkenberg's podium got here at a combined climate British Grand Prix, with the 37-year-old completely timing his first pitstop for intermediate tyres.

It left him fourth on the monitor earlier than overtaking Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, with Hulkenberg then holding off Lewis Hamilton late on whereas accurately timing his closing pitstop.

“It was a survival battle for lots of the race,” stated Hulkenberg, who began final on the highway.

“I believe we simply have been actually on it with the proper calls, the proper tyres in the proper second, made no errors. Fairly unbelievable. 

“I used to be in denial till in all probability the final pitstop, however then after I heard we gapped Lewis fairly a bit with the one additional lap, I used to be like, ‘okay, that is good, that is some respiratory area'. 

“However then he was catching fairly rapidly, so the strain was there. It was an intense race however we did not crack, no errors, and clearly actually, actually proud of that.

“I used to be pondering that he'll give all of it in entrance of his house crowd, and I used to be like, ‘sorry guys, however it's additionally my day'. I needed to stick my neck out. I am tremendous glad.”

Hulkenberg was understandably delighted in parc ferme afterwards and regardless of ready so lengthy for that first podium, he nonetheless had religion that he would finally do it.

“[It feels] good,” stated the German, who made his F1 debut in 2010 and has additionally received the Le Mans 24 Hours since then.

“It has been a very long time coming, hasn't it? However I at all times knew we've got it in us, I've it in me, someplace. 

“What a race. Coming from just about final, doing it over again from final weekend. It is fairly surreal, to be trustworthy. I am undecided the way it all occurred, however clearly loopy, combined situations.”

The end result strikes Hulkenberg as much as ninth within the drivers' championship, whereas his new-for-2025 Sauber crew, which completed final in 2024, is now sixth within the constructors' standings.