Nico Hulkenberg delivered a stunning drive from 19th on the grid to his first-ever Formula 1 podium at the 2025 British Grand Prix thanks to a crucial tyre decision that transformed his race.
The Sauber driver made a perfectly timed switch to fresh Intermediates as the rain returned — a crucial call that sparked his charge through the field on a chaotic, rain-hit afternoon at Silverstone.
Starting from last on the grid, Hulkenberg could hardly have imagined this would finally be the day he ended his long wait for an F1 podium.
In a race defined by changing conditions and multiple incidents, Hulkenberg climbed into the points early, making an aggressive call to pit for a new set of Intermediates before most of the field.
Sauber’s gamble paid off. As a Safety Car was deployed for worsening rain, the German driver gained positions, climbing to fifth.
Another Safety Car soon followed after Isack Hadjar collided with Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
When racing resumed, Max Verstappen spun, promoting Hulkenberg to fourth. He quickly passed Lance Stroll for third after DRS was enabled and then held off home favourite Lewis Hamilton to secure his maiden podium.
After the race, the 37-year-old reflected on the decisive call that sealed a landmark result — Sauber’s first podium since the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.
“I was just dropping back – I was really struggling with that first set, so they said the rain is coming,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“So I just dived into the pits, to be honest, without thinking too much at the time, and then kind of went out, and the rain started, and it was real good timing.
“I think they could not have been better, we pitted at the perfect time every single time, which is very rare, and kind of difficult to do, but just how it happened today.
“We really hit that one on the head.”
Hulkenberg reflects on intense and emotional British GP battle
Looking back on his first F1 podium, Hulkenberg opened up about the intensity of the race and the emotional journey from qualifying to the final result.
“Happy, but it’s a lot to take in, to process – it’s been a very intense race,” he explained.
“It’s so intense for us in the car in these changeable conditions, in a damp track, and you always feel like with one foot you’re in the wall when you’re exploiting and you’re on the limit and trying to push.
“So yeah, very intense, it was a distance battle with Lewis at the end, who was making up some ground, but not enough luckily for us at the end.
“So everything coming together, obviously big relief, very happy, very positive day. From a massive low yesterday, being last on the grid to this result, it’s kind of surreal.
“It’s going to take a few days, a few moments, to process everything and take it all in. Good news is we have two weeks now to enjoy it, to celebrate it properly over the next week, before we go again.”
The moment Hulkenberg knew a podium was possible
When asked at what point he realised the podium was within reach, Hulkenberg added: “I think before we pitted back onto slicks.
“I passed Lance, then Lewis passed Lance pretty quickly, and then I was able to keep him at bay and even pull away then when the Inters started to wear more and more, so that’s looking pretty positive and encouraging.
“Then I think we made a really good call, stopping one lap later than he did to the slick. We gained, I think it was around 10 seconds of race time and that gap was obviously crucial.
“From there onwards, it felt pretty long, 10, 11, 12 laps, whatever it was, but from there onwards I knew obviously we have every chance to get this result, we just need to keep it on the road while pushing.”
On how much more is possible with the Sauber, after scoring points in four consecutive races and outscoring Red Bull recently, Hulkenberg joked: “You want even more, Jesus! I think that’s pretty good for today.”
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