“I am ecstatic — this is such a special day for the team and for me personally. That first podium feeling… I cannot put it into words. It was such an intense race with changing conditions all the time, and you always feel like you are right on the edge.”

In the final laps of the British Grand Prix, the entire F1 paddock started cheering for the green Sauber holding off Hamilton’s comeback. Nothing against the king of Silverstone — it was a heartfelt show of support for Niko Hülkenberg, the “next-door” driver who, before yesterday, had never stood on a podium in his 239 Grand Prix starts.

The British GP gave us a fairy tale. An extraordinary third place for the German driver — a triumph earned after starting 19th on the grid, second to last. “It felt a bit surreal,” he laughed. “I’m not even sure how I did it. But it was about time, definitely.”

The Road to the Podium
To understand how monumental this result is, consider that the previous record holder for most races without a podium was Adrian Sutil — with “only” 128 GPs, 111 fewer than Nico. But let’s be clear: you don’t stay in Formula 1 for 15 years by chance. Nico has always been one of the most underrated drivers — at least in the sense that he never had a car capable of winning. In fact, he still holds the record for most Grands Prix without a win: 239.

His career, no doubt, gave him far less than he deserved. It all started thanks to his father, Klaus Dieter, a freight forwarder by trade, working in the family business founded by Nico’s grandfather Georg. Nico himself worked in the company, which is why — in addition to English — he speaks French and Dutch, also because their hometown, Emmerich, is just 4 km from the Dutch border.

And while working with his dad, young Hulk was also racking up wins — a lot of them: Formula 3 Euro Series champion in 2008, and GP2 champion in 2009 — a double only Lewis Hamilton had managed before him. And since his manager back then was Willi Weber, the same as Michael Schumacher, Nico was linked early in his career with top teams, even Ferrari. But nothing ever materialized.

Still, the fact he had never stood on a podium until yesterday is mind-blowing. We’re talking about a driver who’s finished fourth three times, fifth ten times, sixth twenty-two times… A driver who, in his debut season in 2010, took pole at Interlagos in a Williams that hadn’t started from the front in five years. A driver who, in 2012 in Brazil, collided with Hamilton while fighting for the lead, driving a Force India.

Le Mans, Setbacks, and the Comeback
Among Hülkenberg’s biggest achievements: his 2015 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche. It had been 31 years since an active F1 driver had won at La Sarthe. Yet after the 2019 season, he couldn’t find a seat anymore — mostly due to a mistake in the rain at Hockenheim, when, true to the curse, he was… fourth.

So he spent three years as a commentator and test driver. Until he got called back — filling in for others, often outperforming them. Like in 2020 at Silverstone with Racing Point, subbing for Pérez: an incredible third in qualifying, but only seventh in the race due to an extra pit stop for blistering tires.

Noemi Sky
“In those years, I lived a normal life. I started a family,” Nico said. “When I came back to the paddock, I did it because I felt right, comfortable — but still a bit hungry.” Not for wins, “because I know they won’t come.” But for emotions and opportunities — “the kind you make the most of.”

And maybe it really did take his daughter, Noemi Sky, to finally break the curse. She’s four now. Her mother posted a video on social media of her celebrating while Daddy lifted the trophy. And Nico, at one point, stared into the camera — pointing slightly downward. And it really did seem like he was looking straight at her.

A Boost for the Team
With Hülkenberg’s podium — and the 15 points that came with it — the team jumps to sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship at the halfway point of the season. The hard work continues, driven by the incredible motivation this summer has brought.

Photo Credit: Sauber F1 Team