Nico Hulkenberg admitted he was overwhelmed by the shock of scoring the primary podium end of his Method 1 profession.
The Sauber driver lastly reached the podium in his 239th grand prix begin, taking the report for the longest-ever await a primary podium end. His consequence was all of the extra exceptional as he began on the again row of the grid, nineteenth, and successfully final as Franco Colapinto failed to begin.
“I’m comfortable however it’s quite a bit to absorb, to course of,” mentioned the Sauber driver after rising to 3rd place within the rain-hit grand prix. “It’s been a really intense race.
“It’s so intense for us within the automobile in these changeable circumstances on a moist observe. You all the time really feel like with one foot [going wide] you’re within the wall if you’re exploring and on the restrict after which attempting to push.”
Hulkenberg moved up the order by making an early first pit cease for intermediate tyres. In the direction of the tip of his second stint he handed Lance Stroll, then got here below stress from Lewis Hamilton behind.
He sensed the rostrum was a chance as Hamilton struggled to shut on him. “Earlier than we pitted again onto slicks, I handed Lance. Then Lewis handed Lance fairly rapidly, after which I used to be capable of hold him at bay and even draw back when the inters began to put on an increasing number of.
“In order that was wanting fairly optimistic and inspiring. Then I believe we made a very good name by stopping one lap later than he did for the slicks, and we gained I believe round 10 seconds. That hole was essential.
Advert | Turn out to be a RaceFans supporter and
“From there onwards, it felt like a reasonably lengthy 10, 11, 12 laps, no matter it was. However from there onwards, I knew we had each probability to get this consequence. We simply wanted to maintain it on the highway whereas pushing.”
Having come near ending on the rostrum on a number of events, Hulkenberg admitted it was a “massive reduction” to lastly do it. “I’m very comfortable, it’s a really optimistic day.
“From a large low yesterday being nearly final, actually, on the grid, to this result’s type of surreal. It’s going to take just a few days to course of every part and take all of it in.
“The excellent news is we’ve got two weeks now to take pleasure in it and to have fun it correctly earlier than we go once more.”
Miss nothing from RaceFans
Get a day by day e mail with all our newest tales – and nothing else. No advertising, no advertisements. Join right here:
2025 British Grand Prix
Browse all 2025 British Grand Prix articles
