Sauber Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley was full of praise for Nico Hulkenberg after the German ended his long wait for a first Formula 1 podium at the British Grand Prix, insisting the “monkey is off his back” now.
Hulkenberg’s stunning performance in the chaotic, rain-affected race finally ended his long wait for a podium finish after 239 Grands Prix — the longest drought in F1 history.
Starting from the back after a poor qualifying, the 37-year-old fought his way through the field into the points.
A well-timed early switch to fresh Intermediates lifted him to fifth before Max Verstappen’s off moment moved him up to fourth.
After passing Lance Stroll, he held off a late charge from home favourite Lewis Hamilton to secure Sauber’s first podium since 2012.
With a chance to reflect upon what just happened, Wheatley shared insight into Hulkenberg’s emotions after the race and lavished praise on his performance.
“I think he was almost in a state of shock when we saw him under the podium and chatted to him,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“How do I sum it? I’m just trying to stay in the moment and enjoy it rather than this relentless sort of merry-go-round that we’re on to the next race and next race.
“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 and it seems incredible to me that we’re all celebrating a podium race.
“It feels to me like he should have been getting them all his career. It seems to be the longest-waited podium ever.
“He showed his class today, didn’t put a wheel wrong and the team made all the right decisions in terms of strategy.
“Stayed out when we needed to stay out and then switch to the Medium at the right time – I’m just very, very proud of everyone.”
Wheatley reflects on Hulkenberg’s legacy and key strategy decisions
Following his breakthrough podium, the Sauber chief reflected on Hulkenberg’s place in F1 history and the key decisions that helped secure the result.
When asked if this changes his legacy, Wheatley said: “I can’t speak for anyone other than myself.
“I’ve considered him to be an extraordinary talent for a very long time and I think I’ve been consistent in saying that to everyone here.
“It seemed incredible to me that he’s never achieved a podium in his career.
“I think he showed today what he’s capable of and I think also for him it’s a milestone – the monkey is off his back.”
On the pivotal tyre strategy, Wheatley explained: “We had an eye on the weather that was coming, which I think is what everyone did, and then I think Nico just felt like his Intermediates had just had it and he thought the same.
“So we boxed him at that point – it was absolutely the right decision and I think then the other significant decision, given Lewis’ pace, was the time that we boxed onto the Medium tyre after that.
“We waited, we kept our powder dry, we weren’t the first to go, we were watching very carefully what the other drivers did and I think we got the timing right on that.”
Going back to Hulkenberg’s performance, Wheatley commended his composure and skill: “Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Nico drove an incredible race today. I think he had a racing car underneath him.”
READ MORE – The critical call that inspired Nico Hulkenberg’s maiden F1 podium at British GP
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