Nico Hulkenberg has been racing with the most unwanted record in Formula 1, most races without a podium, but his podium in the British Grand Prix meant the monkey is finally off his back, as per Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley.
After 239 attempts, Hulkenberg finally stood on an F1 podium, and he did that in a special way after driving a brilliant race in treacherous wet conditions while fending off the challenge of a seven-time F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton, who had to settle for fourth.
It was Sauber's first podium in years and the first under the watch of their new boss, Wheatley, who joined from Red Bull Racing to lead the team into the Audi era in 2026.
"I think he was almost in a state of shock when I saw him under the podium," Wheatley said of Hulkenberg after the race in Silverstone on Sunday. "Nico drove an outstanding race today. One of the best I've seen at Silverstone and one of the best I've seen of any driver ever.
"I've considered him to be an extraordinary talent for a very long time... I think he showed today what he's capable of. The monkey's off his back," he added.
It was a sour-sweet result for Sauber, as their other driver, Gabriel Bortoleto, failed to finish the race after crashing on Lap 4 of the race, and while he got his car back on track, he failed to get it back to the pits and retired.
No one more deserving of a podium than Hulkenberg
“Where do I start," Wheatley began his race review in Sauber's press release. "The most overdue podium in F1 history and the first podium for the team since Japan in 2012.
"This was a weekend of highs and lows but ultimately, we pulled it all together and when the opportunity was there, we grabbed it with both hands.
"After his success in Austria this was a frustrating weekend for Gabriel," the Sauber boss said of the Brazilian, "but he grows stronger with every race.
"Easy to forget that this is still only his first season in F1 and I know he will be eager to get back on track and start the second half of the championship.
“Nico drove a masterclass today," Wheatley continued. "From starting in 19th to P3 this was the lowest ever starting position for a podium finisher in Sauber’s 32-year history and after 239 Grand Prix starts, Nico delivered the goods. No driver is more deserving of a podium than Nico.
“Once again, we came together as a team today. We showed confidence and belief in ourselves, delivering a result that everyone in the factory and at the track can be justly proud of. What a day," Wheatley concluded.
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