Nico Hulkenberg began his day at Silverstone way back to a driver can get in Components 1 – the final row of the grid.
Quick ahead 52 laps of chaotic wet-weather racing and the 37-year-old got here via the sphere, aided by a wonderfully executed Sauber technique, to attain his very first F1 podium on his 239th try.
Hulkenberg’s sensational third place on the British Grand Prix on Sunday – which set a brand new document for the longest time earlier than ending on the rostrum at 5,593 days – has been 15 years within the making.
The German’s debut was on the 2010 Bahrain Grand Prix with Williams and after 10 seasons in F1, he discovered himself with out a seat in 2020. He made a return with Haas three years later.
Hulkenberg mentioned that whereas he was “relieved” to assert the longed-for podium, he was additionally feeling “fairly empty”.
“It has been an emotional rollercoaster this weekend, being nearly final [on Saturday], so a fairly dangerous day to among the best days of my profession – it is clearly rather a lot to absorb,” mentioned Hulkenberg.
His climb from nineteenth to 3rd on what was a very depressing summer season’s day within the UK, plus the factors he had scored within the earlier three races, means Hulkenberg strikes as much as ninth within the drivers’ world championship.
“That race was intense, with all of the modifications of situations, it was sketchy,” he added. “A high-speed observe with changeable situations isn’t simple.
“Whereas I am pleased and relived, I am largely drained, and looking out ahead to getting residence, to be sincere.”
Hulkenberg’s rookie Sauber team-mate, Gabriel Bortoleto – who’s 17 years his junior – was one of many first to congratulate him, saying over the radio: “Man, you do not know how pleased I’m for you. You’re a legend. Completely insane what you probably did at the moment.”
