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Nico Hulkenberg chokes up on team radio as F1 star, 37, finally makes podium in his 239TH race – despite starting 19th
NICO HULKENBERG joked it was “a long time coming” as he banished an unwanted record of most starts in F1 without a podium.
It was the German 37-year-old’s 239th career start as he held off seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton to finish in third in a bonkers race at Silverstone.
Lando Norris came in first at his home race ahead of second-place Oscar Piastri, who had been slapped with a ten-second time penalty for braking suddenly under the safety car.
Hulkenberg started the race in 19th and hadn’t stood on a podium of any motorsport race since the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2015.
The Sauber driver, who made his debut with Williams in 2010, choked back tears on the team radio and said: “I don’t think I can comprehend what we’ve just done. Oh my god.”
He was seen embracing his team in jubilant celebrations at Parc Ferme while also sharing a hug with team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto, who had crashed out earlier on.
Speaking to Jenson Button in front of fans after the race, he said: “It feels good. It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it? But I always knew we have it in us, I have it in me, somewhere.
“What a race. Coming from virtually last, doing it all over again from last weekend.
“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest. I’m not sure how it all happened, but obviously crazy, mixed conditions.
“It was a survival fight for a lot of the race. I think we just were really on it with the right calls, the right tyres in the right moment, made no mistakes – quite incredible.
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“I was in denial until probably the last pit stop, but then when I heard we gapped Lewis quite a bit with the one extra lap, I was like, ‘ok, this is good, this is some breathing space.’
“But then he was catching quite quickly, so the pressure was there. It was an intense race but we didn’t crack, no mistakes, and obviously really, really happy with that.”
“I was thinking that he’s going to give it all in front of his home crowd, and I was like, ‘sorry guys, but it’s also my day.’ I had to stick my neck out. I’m super happy.”
Hulkenberg was one of three drivers presented with unique Lego Brick trophies after the race alongside McLaren pair Norris and Piastri.
In a press conference alongside the former Haas driver, Piastri cheekily asked how it felt to wait 15 years for an F1 trophy, only for it to be made of Lego.
However, the Hulk adorably revealed he would be sharing his spoils with his three-year-old daughter, Noemi.
He said: “I like Lego! My daughter can play with it too!”
