A Landmark Podium for Hulkenberg Signals Sauber’s Rise Ahead of Audi Era

On a rainy Sunday evening at Silverstone, the far end of the Formula 1 paddock—usually quiet and empty—buzzed with celebration. Sauber’s hospitality unit overflowed with music, champagne, and joy as Nico Hulkenberg finally stepped onto a Formula 1 podium after 239 race starts, marking a historic moment for both driver and team.

Hulkenberg’s Long-Awaited Triumph

At 37, Hulkenberg produced a masterclass drive from the back row to secure third place behind McLaren’s dominant duo, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. It was a moment of pure elation for a driver who had long deserved such a reward. Sauber teammates, engineers, and staff gathered for photos with the German and his LEGO podium trophy, while emergency bottles of champagne arrived courtesy of Mercedes and Aston Martin—Sauber hadn’t anticipated needing so many.

Jonathan Wheatley, in his most-attended media session since becoming team principal earlier in 2025, led the celebrations with praise for Hulkenberg’s drive.

“Nico drove an outstanding race today. One of the best I've seen at Silverstone. One of the best I've seen of any driver, ever,” Wheatley stated.

“It seems incredible that this is his first podium. He showed his class today—didn’t put a wheel wrong. I’ve always considered him an extraordinary talent, and today he showed what he's truly capable of.”

Bigger Than Just One Race

While Hulkenberg’s personal triumph stole headlines, the result carried deeper meaning for Sauber. The podium was the team’s first since 2012 and comes amid a steady resurgence ahead of its transformation into Audi’s works team next season.

Building on a double-points finish in Austria—where rookie Gabriel Bortoleto impressed—Sauber's third place at Silverstone showed the fruits of its mid-season upgrades and strategic reshaping under Wheatley and COO/CTO Mattia Binotto.

“We’ve talked a lot about momentum,” Wheatley noted. “But today, people started believing. It’s not just words anymore—we’re putting performance on the tarmac. It’s a real stepping stone on our journey to becoming a front-running team.”

He added, “The team made the right strategy calls—staying out when it counted, switching to mediums at the perfect time. I’m incredibly proud of everyone.”

From Bottom to Midfield

Following a dismal 2024 campaign with just four points, Sauber’s 2025 car—the C45—wasn’t initially expected to turn things around. Yet, the combination of crucial upgrades and strategic leadership has seen the team leap into sixth in the constructors' standings, far exceeding pre-season expectations of another last-place finish.

Even Silverstone, a track that didn’t suit their car on paper, became a stage for redemption.

If it had been a dry race, maybe fewer of you would be standing here,” Wheatley joked. “But cometh the hour, cometh the man—and Nico delivered.”