Kick Sauber Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley has lauded Nico Hulkenberg’s efforts in securing his maiden F1 podium at the British Grand Prix, calling it “the most overdue podium in F1 history”.
The German had the record for the most F1 starts without scoring a rostrum, but that ended on Sunday as he put in an error-free performance in the most testing of conditions – in what was his 239th start – to rise from P19 on the grid to P3 at the flag.
Hulkenberg and Kick Sauber made the right calls at the right time – swapping to fresh intermediate tyres just as the rain was starting to fall again, before making those last long enough to bolt on some mediums at the end.
Hulkenberg also had work to do on track as he rose up the order, overtaking Lance Stroll for third and then not making any mistakes in the closing laps despite knowing Lewis Hamilton was chasing hard to get back in touch.
“Where do I start… The most overdue podium in F1 history and the first podium for the team since Japan in 2012,” said Wheatley after the race.
“This was a weekend of highs and lows but, ultimately, we pulled it all together and when the opportunity was there, we grabbed it with both hands.”
“From starting in 19th to P3 this was the lowest ever starting position for a podium finisher in Sauber’s 32-year history and, after 239 Grand Prix starts, Nico delivered the goods. No driver is more deserving of a podium than Nico.”
Wheatley is no stranger to success in F1, moving to Kick Sauber from Red Bull to be part of the project that will ultimately see the team transform into Audi from next season.
And the Briton was in no doubt about the magnitude of what Hulkenberg did on Sunday, calling his efforts, amongst other things, a “masterclass.”
“Nico drove an outstanding race today, one of the best I’ve seen at Silverstone and one of the best I’ve seen of any driver ever,” he said. “It seems incredible to me that we’re all celebrating a podium as it feels to me like he should have been getting them all his career.
“I can’t speak for anyone other than myself. I’ve considered him to be an extraordinary talent for a very long time, and I think I’ve been consistent in saying that to everyone here. It seemed incredible to me that he’s never achieved a podium in his career.”
With Hulkenberg’s Silverstone achievement secured, and with the regulation change incoming for next year, as well as a chance for the pecking order to be jumbled up – can the German now go one better and win in Formula 1?
“I think Nico showed today what he’s capable of,” Wheatley continued. “I think given the right race car, given the right circumstances, he’s capable of delivering that. I have no doubt he can win a race.
“He’s an outstanding driver and he just showed it today.”
Wheatley was also quick to pay credit to Hulkenberg’s clear and calm direction over the radio throughout a frenetic race that saw multiple crashes, spins and plenty of strategy dilemmas.
Gabriel Bortoleto did not make it to the flag after spinning off on the medium tyres on a wet track – but the rookie stuck around to listen to Hulkenberg’s radio throughout the race and learn from his experienced team mate.
“Gabriel has a tremendous work ethic, and he has a capacity for learning,” the Sauber team boss continued. “He wants to learn. He’s drawing information out of everything.
“He takes information in from everywhere. I think for him to sit there in those conditions and listen to Nico asking all the right questions and conversations on the radio, it’s only going to make him stronger.”
