Nico Hulkenberg finally broke his podium drought at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, finishing third in a chaotic race that saw him hold off late charges from rivals. The 37-year-old German, now driving for Sauber alongside rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, described the moment as “overwhelming,” admitting the flood of messages and calls from fans and friends left him speechless for hours after the chequered flag.
“It’s been a long wait – 14 years in F1 without standing on that top step,” Hulkenberg said post-race. “But this feels right. The team’s upgrades clicked perfectly here, and we maximized every opportunity.”
Sauber, rebranded under Audi’s impending full takeover in 2026, sits sixth in the constructors’ standings after three rounds. Team principal Mattia Binotto, who joined from Ferrari last year, eyes a climb to fifth by season’s end. “P5 is realistic,” Binotto stated. “We’ve got the pace now, and with Hulkenberg’s experience guiding Bortoleto, we’re building momentum.”
The result marks a turnaround for Sauber, who struggled early in 2025 with reliability issues. Hulkenberg’s podium – his 215th start – injects confidence ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, where further car developments are planned.
