Nico Hulkenberg has had a humorous outdated Formulation 1 profession. The German arrived with a lot promise in 2010 after clinching the GP2 title and confirmed glimpses of that expertise throughout an up-and-down rookie marketing campaign by taking pole in Brazil for Williams, whereas scoring factors in six of the ultimate 10 grands prix of the yr.
However he was with no seat for 2011 as Williams opted for the sponsorship cash of Pastor Maldonado. A yr as Pressure India’s reserve beckoned earlier than being promoted into its full-time line-up for 2012, kickstarting a run of eight consecutive seasons within the championship, earlier than a poor 2019 at Renault noticed him get dropped as soon as once more.
It appeared unusual {that a} driver of his expertise, who had such a robust junior document, would finish an F1 profession with zero podiums having been absolutely caught within the midfield, whereas that failed transfer to Ferrari in 2014 was the large ‘what if’ second.
Hulkenberg would go on to make sporadic appearances throughout the following three seasons, earlier than a golden alternative introduced itself at Haas for 2023, which the then 36-year-old grabbed with each fingers. Constantly outperforming team-mate Kevin Magnussen put him on Audi’s radar and the German marque signed him for Sauber this yr forward of subsequent season’s takeover.
However little was anticipated of the Swiss squad contemplating its dire 2024, simply 4 factors had been scored with Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas, and modest developments on its C45 hinted at focus already being on 2026.
Qualifying on the Melbourne opener appeared extra of the identical as effectively, as Hulkenberg was dumped out of Q1 with seventeenth and rookie team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto was solely two spots increased. However in reality, this type of set the theme for the remainder of the season because the younger Brazilian was largely equal with Hulkenberg in qualifying, but the veteran had the higher hand on a Sunday and was good at maximising points-scoring alternatives.
Simply that weekend, for instance, he climbed as much as seventh thanks to numerous retirements, thus giving Sauber extra factors (six) than it had scored throughout the earlier season. Hulkenberg delivered an identical restoration in Spain with fifth from a beginning place of fifteenth, as a part of a robust center a part of the season that additionally included high 10s in Austria and Canada.
Hulkenberg overcame difficult circumstances to take Silverstone podium
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
Many individuals, subsequently, underestimated Sauber’s possibilities for 2025, it being the favorite to complete final, and Silverstone went past anyone’s expectations, giving Hulkenberg the factor he’d been chasing his entire profession: a podium.
He might have began the race in nineteenth, however combined climate circumstances made every thing unpredictable with right technique being king. That was key behind Hulkenberg’s podium, as a superbly timed first pitstop for intermediates moved him as much as fourth following a security automobile, through which he subsequently claimed third from Lance Stroll with DRS.
Hulkenberg did should take care of late stress from Lewis Hamilton, however he held agency to seal his document for many grand prix begins (239) earlier than a podium.
“I used to be considering that he’s [Hamilton] going to present all of it in entrance of his residence crowd, and I used to be like, ‘sorry guys, however it’s additionally my day’. I needed to stick my neck out, I’m tremendous pleased,” stated Hulkenberg on the time.
The response to his podium was additionally indicative of how a lot respect he has gained within the motorsport world, as a result of his rivals had been delighted for him. “He’s all the time been a top-five driver within the grid each time he’s been in F1,” claimed Carlos Sainz, whereas Fernando Alonso added: “Probably the greatest drivers on the grid that by no means had the chance to have a correct automobile beneath.”
So sure, Hulkenberg’s podium was a feel-good second of 2025, however there have been nonetheless 12 rounds left within the season and sadly for him, the following six grands prix had been the hardest. The Sauber driver failed to attain some extent, amid a run of being outqualified by Bortoleto on eight, consecutive events.
Hulkenberg sorted himself out for the ultimate rounds although, scoring factors in 4 of the final six grands prix whereas as soon as once more getting the higher hand on his team-mate in qualifying. The pair ended up with a 15-15 rating together with sprints, whereas Hulkenberg completed eleventh within the standings and 32 factors above the 21-year-old.
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