(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Nico Hulkenberg Eyes More Success After First F1 Podium
October 10, 2025
After 239 Formula 1 races, Nico Hulkenberg finally celebrated his first podium, finishing third at Silverstone, ending the sport’s longest podium-less streak. The 37-year-old German driver now sets his sights on continued success with Audi and Sauber in 2026 and beyond.
A Long-Awaited Podium
Hulkenberg started 19th on the grid in a chaotic dry-wet Silverstone race and executed flawless strategy with Sauber, leapfrogging 16 cars to finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton. The podium moment, complete with a trophy made of Lego, was a career highlight for the driver nicknamed “The Hulk.”
“It’s confirmation of the hard work the team is putting in,” Hulkenberg said. With four consecutive point-scoring finishes leading into the Belgian Grand Prix, the German is enjoying a career resurgence.
Career Highlights
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Races: 239
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Points: 608
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Top-10 finishes: 113
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Podiums: 1
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Pole positions: 1
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Best Championship Finish: 7th (2018, Renault)
Hulkenberg has also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015, making him the first active F1 driver to claim the endurance race since 1991. Despite years off the F1 grid, he returned in 2023 ready to compete with the new generation of drivers.
Looking Ahead
Hulkenberg remains focused on winning, not dwelling on past podium-less races. “It’s cold coffee, honestly. You just have to be ready, and when the day comes, take it,” he said.
With Audi taking over Sauber next year and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto joining the team, Hulkenberg is optimistic about a competitive 2026 season. He continues to mentor younger teammates while balancing family life with his four-year-old daughter Noemi.
“I haven’t won in F1 yet, and that’s always the goal. But now I’m in a big project with an exciting opportunity,” Hulkenberg added.
Hulkenberg’s first podium may have been a long time coming, but with renewed momentum and a strong team behind him, the German driver is poised for even greater achievements in Formula 1.
