Jonathan Wheatley has praised Nico Hulkenberg’s drive at Silverstone, highlighting a feat that has never been done before by a Sauber driver.
Hulkenberg fended off Lewis Hamilton as he scored his first podium in F1 in front of the Silverstone crowd, ending his infamous 239-race run without a trophy.
Before the chequered flag fell on Sunday afternoon, the German driver held the F1 record for the most amount of Grand Prix entries without finishing in the front three.
Max Verstappen lauded Hulkenberg after the 37-year-old’s third-place finish, and the record has now been inherited by Adrian Sutil, who entered 128 races between 2006 and 2014.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg’s ‘overdue’ podium puts him in the Sauber history books
After finally being rid of one of the most unwanted records in F1, Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley highlighted Hulkenberg’s charge from P19 as the lowest grid position for a podium finisher in team history.
In his post-race comment for Sauber’s press release, Wheatley didn’t hold back on the plaudits for his driver.
“The most overdue podium in F1 history and the first podium for the team since Japan in 2012,” he wrote. “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.
“Nico drove a masterclass today. 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.”
Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Wheatley reflects on a ‘frustrating weekend’ for Bortoleto
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Swiss team during the difficult conditions. Gabriel Bortoleto was forced to retire after spinning off the track whilst running slick tyres.
The 2024 Formula 2 champion was riding the high of his first points finish in F1 just a week earlier in Austria, but was unable to capitalise on the run of form at Silverstone.
Whilst not ideal, Wheatley admitted that it’s easy to forget that the 20-year-old is still a rookie.
“After his success in Austria this was a frustrating weekend for Gabriel,” said Wheatley. “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.”
After climbing up the Constructors’ Standings to sixth following Hulkenberg’s big points haul, the Swiss team will be hoping to continue their impressive points-scoring streak at the Belgian Grand Prix.
