First Formula 1 podium for Hülkenberg in the 239th GP – the Sauber team ends a nearly 13-year drought at Silverstone

It's a radio message born out of emotion, but it still doesn't sound particularly exaggerated when Sauber team boss Jonathan Wheatley radios into Nico Hülkenberg's cockpit after the British Grand Prix: "This has to be the most overdue podium in the history of Formula 1!"

The bare numbers actually speak for themselves, as the German racing driver made it onto the podium for the first time in his 239th Grand Prix. Hülkenberg's third place after a rapid comeback frees the entire Swiss racing team from a kind of sporting curse; the last time a Sauber driver participated in a podium ceremony was in October 2012, when Kamui Kobayashi won at Suzuka. This result also ends a long drought for the proud German racing nation; there hadn't been a podium finish since Sebastian Vettel in 2021.

In a race marked by rain showers, aquaplaning, accidents, and safety car interventions in front of a record crowd of 160,000 spectators, Briton Lando Norris fulfilled a lifelong sporting dream with his home victory. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, who was handed a time penalty at the restart, cost him the win and ultimately finished second. The Australian still leads the overall standings by eight points over Norris.

When it comes to fulfilling big dreams, Hülkenberg, 37 years and 321 days old, has nothing to hide behind winner Norris. The Rhinelander, who made his debut in the premier class in 2010, managed to leap to the top not only under difficult weather conditions, but also after a botched qualifying session from the second-to-last grid position.

"Achieving something like this isn't just a matter of luck, but above all of a very strong racing performance," praised Mattia Binotto, who is responsible for transforming Sauber into the future Audi factory team. The Italian praised a flawless drive, good communication, and the right strategy.

Hülkenberg, voted Driver of the Day by the fans at Silverstone, had to gather himself after the grueling 52 laps. "Oh my God, this is unbelievable," he stammered over the radio, his voice choked with tears. In the Sauber garage, where they had been trembling since lap 35, when Hülkenberg pushed past Canadian Lance Stroll, who had also moved up the field, into third place, they were already dancing for joy.

The champagne was already prepared, but with record world champion Lewis Hamilton breathing down his neck, Hülkenberg's success in the final quarter of the race was by no means assured. At one point, the Briton, who had so desperately sought his first podium in Ferrari red at his home race, was within a second of the leader. But in the crucial phase of the final tire changes, Hülkenberg and Sauber kept their cool. Hülkenberg stayed out one lap longer than Hamilton, which decided the race. In the end, five seconds separated third and fourth.

Hülkenberg still has to familiarize himself with the customs for the top three, while winner Norris had to bring his helmet, which was displayed in a display case behind the podium. The man from Emmerich in the Lower Rhine region, who last stood on the podium with Porsche in 2015 with his Le Mans victory, was already more composed at this point, although he was astonished that the trophies presented in Silverstone were made of Lego bricks.

With some distance, Hülkenberg spoke of a generally good racing rhythm, but also admitted that after the intense 100 minutes at Silverstone, he first had to sort out his emotions and impressions: "It was surreal." The long-distance duel with his pursuer Hamilton gave him a thrill and fighting spirit: "I knew I had to get through it somehow. But it was a ride on a razor's edge." His enormous experience likely stood him in good stead in this situation.

The previous weekend in Spielberg, he had already climbed from far back to ninth place, which in a tightly packed and fiercely contested midfield is often as difficult as the battle for victory. In the Drivers' World Championship, Hülkenberg managed to climb to ninth place thanks to the 15 points he earned at Silverstone.

This also has a decisive impact on the lucrative Constructors' Championship. Sauber, previously second to last, is now in sixth place, five points ahead of the Racing Bulls and Aston Martin. Thirty-five of the Sauber team's 41 points this year were earned in the last four races, after the C 45 racing car was significantly improved aerodynamically in the Hinwil wind tunnel, primarily through a redesigned underbody.

Beyond the moment of celebration in central England, the podium finish has a significant impact on the racing team's momentum. "It brings additional energy to the team," believes Mattia Binotto, who has already noticed after recent successes that the workforce, which has grown significantly in a short period of time, is increasingly coming to the factory with a smile on his face.

For team principal Jonathan Wheatley, who joined from Red Bull Racing on April 1, the result is further confirmation that "we're on a great journey." The Briton was able to provide the Sauber crew with crucial input on pit stop technique and strategy. Nico Hülkenberg is only too happy to evoke: "I had it in me, we have it in us."