‘He absolutely deserves this moment’ – The F1 paddock reacts to Hulkenberg’s maiden podium

Nico Hulkenberg finished third at Silverstone for Kick Sauber to score his maiden F1 podium at the 239th time of asking. For a driver one month short of his 38th birthday, it was an incredible result – not least because it was achieved from 19th on the grid.

The German made his F1 debut all the way back in 2010, and his career in the sport looked to be over when he was left without a seat at the conclusion of the 2019 season.

But after two years on the sidelines bar a handful of ‘super sub’ appearances, Hulkenberg was handed a lifeline to return to F1 in 2022 with Haas – and since then has put in a string of strong performances.

You only have to look at the last handful of races, since Kick Sauber introduced an upgrade package, to see the kind of performances the German is delivering. P16 on the grid in Spain became fifth at the flag, P13 on the grid in Canada resulted in an eighth-place finish and then Hulkenberg started 20th last weekend in Austria, climbing up to finish ninth.

All of those results were dwarfed by his drive at Silverstone, with his colleagues old and new swift to offer their congratulations.

Team mate Gabriel Bortoleto was on hand to hug the German as he parked up at the end of the race, saying: “Congratulations to Nico! Seeing him fight for the podium and achieve this result after so many years in Formula 1 means a lot. He is the best teammate I have ever worked with – both as a driver and as a person – and he absolutely deserves this moment: I am genuinely happy for him.”

Max Verstappen was also swift to go over to Hulkenberg in parc ferme and shake his hand, before saying afterwards that “the race wasn’t that enjoyable for me but it was nice to see Nico get his first podium and I’m sure he will be celebrating tonight.”

Oscar Piastri shared the podium with Hulkenberg, and while the Australian was another left disappointed with their own result, seeing the Sauber driver’s celebrations at least tempered Piastri’s own frustrations.

“Well done to Nico – I think that’s the highlight of the day,” Piastri said in his post-race interview.

'He’s always been a top-five driver'

Williams' Carlos Sainz – a former team mate of Hulkenberg at Renault in 2018 – was also hugely complimentary towards the German after he secured his long-awaited podium. “Congrats – he must have done a very solid race to be up there in P3,” the Spaniard told media.

“Honestly, for me, the fact that people kept cursing him, the fact that he didn’t have any podiums, for me it was completely irrelevant. For me, he’s always been a top-five driver in the grid every time he’s been in F1 – his level of talent and race execution is incredible."

Williams Team Principal James Vowles also added: “Congratulations to Sauber and to Nico - an extraordinary result today and well-earned in these difficult conditions.”

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was the man chasing Hulkenberg in the closing stages of the race, unable to get close enough to steal the podium position and maintain his streak of podium finishes at Silverstone.

While his own streak came to an end, the Briton praised what the Sauber driver had achieved. “Third place felt within reach at times but credit to Nico on his first podium, he drove a strong race,” Hamilton concluded

“Congratulations to Nico for his podium, it's a great achievement for him and his team,” added Hamilton’s team mate Charles Leclerc, before team boss Fred Vasseur gave his own opinion: “Finally, congratulations to Nico on his first podium. Given his undoubted talent, he deserves it."

The last word had to go to Piastri though, who turned to Hulkenberg in the post-race press conference and asked the German how he felt about his first ever F1 trophy being made of... Lego.

“I love Lego!” laughed the German. "It's good. My daughter can play with it too.

"You’ve always got to see the bright side. But, you know, a bit of silver or gold would have been nice too, but I won't complain."