Why the entire F1 pack is praising Hulkenberg’s maiden podium

The Formula 1 pack hailed Nico Hulkenberg for silencing his doubters by finally landing his first podium after 238 previous race starts.

A landmark third place at the British Grand Prix certainly did not seem on the cards with Hulkenberg starting 19th for Sauber following a poor qualifying session – but a good strategy with timely tyre calls saw the German finally take a place on an F1 podium.

In such a competitive series, it is rare that the entire paddock is pleased for a rival, but with the Sauber team cracking the beers and popping the champagne, Hulkenberg’s contemporaries were quick to praise his efforts.

Carlos Sainz, now with Williams but Hulkenberg’s team-mate at Renault in 2018, said he always knew the 37-year-old was good enough for F1 – even if his lack of podiums had led other to question it.

“Congrats. He must have done a very solid race to be up there in P3,” he said.

“Honestly, for me the fact that people kept cursing him, the fact that he didn’t have any podiums, for me it was completely irrelevant. For me he’s always been a top-five driver in the grid every time he’s been in F1. His level of talent and race execution is incredible.

“I was his team-mate at the time. And the fact that he didn’t have a podium was just circumstantial. So I’m glad he has his podium now to shut up everyone that doubted him. For me, I never doubted him. And I knew he was one day going to be on the podium.”

While they never raced in the same team, two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso has competed against Hulkenberg for years and was equally pleased to see the former Williams, Force India and Haas racer claim a top-three finish.

“I started P7, finished P9. Nico started P19, finished P3. So I think if you get it right, we know in these mixed conditions how good the result could be,” said Alonso.

“I mean it’s the first podium I think for him, so super happy for him. One of the best drivers on the grid that never had the opportunity to have a proper car underneath. I’m very, very truly happy for him, so I hope he enjoys today.”

Max Verstappen also singled out Hulkenberg’s achievement despite his own disappointing afternoon at Silverstone.

“Yeah, fantastic. I’m really happy for him,” Verstappen said, having started on pole but finished fifth after a mid-race spin. “Yeah, it was very nice to see. Because when you in F1 for such a long time and you have not been on the podium, and being so close a few times, I think this is pretty special for him.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images

“I think for Nico, I think he’s quite relaxed in that sense. He knows what he can do. He has shown that in the past, before Formula 1 and in Formula 1, but for whatever reason it didn’t work out up until now.

“He’ll take it and he will be very happy. But I think he knows how good he is. The podium does not suddenly say that you are a lot better. It’s just really nice for him to at least be on an F1 podium.”