That seemed something that would never have happened, it arrived: Nico Hukemberg got his podium in F1. There is justice in the world of motorsport
Although it is a field in which the car is prevalent many times, we must not forget that behind all the work and calculations, there are human. And they are the human stories that fill the coldness of the engineering of the motor sport of emotion.
How many stories we read and listen to great actions. And today it was one of those.
Honestly I hope that on July 6, 2025 you enter history not so much for Lando Norris’s first victory in Silverstone. Ok, it was the 25th British victory at home and you can’t discard it. But it is remembered by Nico Hulkemberg’s third place.
It was one of those moments of genuine joy of paddock and the public. He recalled that, for a moment in time, there is a little human feeling in this jungle which is F1. Sauber’s joy and many other infected. And the reaction of Hulkemberg. Although it is known that the Germanic is known for his sister and coldness, it was not possible to pass.
It was the redemption of a pilot who, when he arrived at F1 in 2010, was considered a future champion. Their base results did not let them lie and their style and approach indicated that it was all a matter of time. Polar position in Brazil in his first season in 2010 cm to a Williams that was not the best of the implicit lot that was a matter of time for glory to come.
But it didn’t come.
The idea for Force India seemed like a logical choice at that moment, but the beginning of Vijjay Malliya’s financial problems was already accusing the bill and, with a potential champion pilot, Hulkemberg was transforming himself in that case “he had to be and was not”. In 2013 there was also a quick ticket in Sauber, in a not so good moment of the Swiss team.
In 2014, he returned to force India and was also involved in the Porsche’s LMP1 program at the Fia Wec, in particular aiming at Le Mans. The victory in La Sarthe came the following year while accumulating the F1 campaign.
Even if the results did not translate their ability, luck seemed to smile 2017 when Renault chooses it as one of its owners. It became a consensus that fortune had certainly smiled at Hulkemberg, since a factory team gave space to the driver at a time when the French seemed committed to returning to the victories.
But the dish that looked like gold became a can. First, alongside Joylon Palmer, Carlos Sainz Jr., and then by Daniel Ricciardo, Hulkemberg was lost in the middle of another “Future Project” of Renault and the podium seemed so close in his local race in 2019. But thanks to an escape, everything was losing.
At the end of that season, his image was down. So much so that Renault decided to change his duo in 2020 and Hulkemberg was lost. The option that was left was to be a Force India reserve pilot. Covid-19 arrived and German had the opportunity to replace Sergio Perez in the Breasthanha GPS and 70 years old (both at Silverstone). In the first, in the Nick of Time, he ranked the 13th, but did not fall thanks to a problem of the engine. The following week, he walked at the 4th, but thanks to the excessive consumption of tires, he had to stop more and was in 7th place. At the Eiffel GP in Nurburgring, he replaced the walk and took a great race, reaching 8th place after going down from the last position.
These exhibitions put it again. However, they did not guarantee him a departure place at F1. Once again he was reserved, but now by the new Aston Martin. This year he even tested an Indy in Barber from McLaren. But he renounced a contract because he was not at ease to pilot oval and find Dallara more difficult to drive than an F1.
In 2022, he followed Aston and replaced Sebastian Vettel in the first race of the year at Bahrein, being his only official appearance in that season. So much so that it was surprising when Haas announced him as one of the holders of the Su for the 2023 season even more together with Kevin Magnussen, with whom he made a chat in front of the cameras a few years earlier thanks to the finds on the track ….
Haas Seasons has shown that Hulkemberg could offer a lot. Even with the technical restrictions of the car, the German has shown rhythm and a great understanding of the tests, obtaining some good performances in the seasons. It is surprisingly the relationship with Magunssen proved to be very built, but with some “immediate encounters” on the tracks …
He attracted attention once again when Sauber, already within the Audi project, confirmed that Hulkemberg would be the leader of the team project in the transition to the factory team. There were few who called “a lack of audacity” or “to leave such an important role in the hand of a pilot who never showed much”.
But the results spoke. Even with a lack of car, Hulkemberg managed to deliver. 3rd place after 239 GPS was the prize for competence to combine luck, skills and good calls from the team. It should be understood that the pilot often makes the strategy work or has been able to approve opportunities. It happened in this family doctor in Great Britain.
One of the dogmas of the contemporary F1 fell and with great joy of the public. Now the title of multiple GPS pilot without getting on the podium passes to Yuki Tsunoda, with 99 GPS. And Hulkemberg can now say that he has risen to a podium in F1. A great animation for you and Sauber in this process of transformation. For sure, it is already one of the large pages of F1 2025 and the last few times.
Thanks, F1. Since the 75 -year -old celebration was not so surprising in the circuit where everything started, a nice page was written here again
Danke, Nico. (Thanks, Nico). The soul of Motorsport is still alive and once again gives justice.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
