Nico Hulkenberg gets emotional over team radio as he claims his first ever podium finish after 239 races

Home> F1

Nico Hulkenberg gets emotional over team radio as he claims his first ever podium finish after 239 races

Nico Hulkenberg was named the driver of the day after an incredible performance saw him finally secure a podium finish.

Nico Hulkenberg was full of emotion on his team radio after finally securing his first ever podium finish in Formula One following 239 races starts.

The German started the race in 19th at the British Grand Prix but produced an incredible performance to pip Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton to third place at Silverstone and achieve a moment that was a long time coming.

Lando Norris won on home soil for the first time but Hulkenberg of Sauber was named the driver of the day for his superb showing in tough, wet conditions.

Hulkenberg was able to keep a considerable distance between himself and Hamilton to finish third and Sky Sports broadcasted his wonderful exchange with his team on the radio.

He said: "I don't think I comprehend what we've just done. OH MY GOD!"

Hulkenberg was told that his achievement was "incredible" and that he "did a fantastic job" by his team.

He then shared embraces aplenty with his colleagues after crossing the finish line, celebrating wildly before reflecting on his triumph with 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button.

The 37-year-old held the record for the most Grand Prix events before standing on the podium but it was worth the wait in gold as he proudly stood alongside McLaren pair Norris and Oscar Piastri and held his trophy.

Hulkenberg has had so many setbacks since beginning his F1 career in 2010, including being dropped in 2020, but it was pure euphoria on Sunday.

Nico Hulkenberg finally got a place on the podium. Image: Getty
Nico Hulkenberg finally got a place on the podium. Image: Getty

Speaking to Button afterwards, he said: "It's been a long time coming, hasn't it? But, yeah, I always knew, you know, we have it in us. I have it in me somewhere.

“I mean, what a race coming from virtually last you know, doing it all over again, from last weekend.

“It's pretty surreal, to be honest. Not sure how it all happened, but obviously crazy conditions, mixed conditions.

“It was, you know, survival fight for a lot of the race, I think we just were really on it. The right calls, the right tyres in the right moment, made no mistakes. And, quite, quite incredible.”

Sauber, who will transition into Audi next season, scored their first podium since Kamui Kobayashi came third in his home race at the Japanese Grand Prix 13 years ago.

Force India driver Adrian Sutil is now the holder of the most races without a podium.

Thanks to Hulkenberg's excellent race which brought 15 points, Sauber are now up to sixth in the constructors' championship which is being dominated by McLaren.

After a slight break, F1 returns on 27 July with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports F1

Topics: Formula 1