Hulkenberg was "in denial" ahead of emotional F1 British GP podium

Nico Hulkenberg revealed he was “in denial” that a first Formula 1 podium finish was possible at the British Grand Prix until very late on at Silverstone.

The Sauber driver finished third behind a McLaren 1-2 to end his much unwanted record of having a record 238 grand prix starts without a podium.

Hulkenberg’s podium came at a mixed weather British Grand Prix, with the 37-year-old perfectly timing his first pitstop for intermediate tyres.

It left him fourth on the track before overtaking Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, with Hulkenberg then holding off Lewis Hamilton late on while correctly timing his final pitstop.

"It was a survival fight for a lot of the race,” said Hulkenberg, who started last on the road.

“I think we just were really on it with the right calls, the right tyres in the right moment, made no mistakes. Quite incredible. 

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

"I was in denial until probably the last pitstop, but then when I heard we gapped Lewis quite a bit with the one extra lap, I was like, 'ok, this is good, this is some breathing space'. 

"But then he was catching quite quickly, so the pressure was there. It was an intense race but we didn't crack, no mistakes, and obviously really, really happy with that.

"I was thinking that he's going to give it all in front of his home crowd, and I was like, 'sorry guys, but it's also my day'. I had to stick my neck out. I'm super happy."

Hulkenberg was understandably delighted in parc ferme afterwards and despite waiting so long for that first podium, he still had faith that he would eventually do it.

"[It feels] good,” said the German, who made his F1 debut in 2010 and has also won the Le Mans 24 Hours since then.

“It's been a long time coming, hasn't it? But I always knew we have it in us, I have it in me, somewhere. 

"What a race. Coming from virtually last, doing it all over again from last weekend. It's pretty surreal, to be honest. I'm not sure how it all happened, but obviously crazy, mixed conditions."

The result moves Hulkenberg up to ninth in the drivers' championship, while his new-for-2025 Sauber team, which finished last in 2024, is now sixth in the constructors' standings.