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By Saajan Jogia
Sports Contributing Writer
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Sauber Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg has made a significant claim about his team, stating that it is now a "serious competitor" in the midfield. The German driver made the admission after securing his first podium finish in F1 at the British Grand Prix.
Hulkenberg's P3 finish at Silverstone reportedly made bigger headlines than Lando Norris' race win at his home venue.
The last stage of the British GP saw Hulkenberg fend off seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari in the fight for the third spot. Sauber, which is set to be taken over by Audi, is a classic example of what teams can do when the regulations remain consistent over multiple F1 seasons.
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Hulkenberg has scored points in five races thus far, while his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto secured a points finish in Austria. This has elevated Sauber's position in the championship standings to P6, a stark contrast to its last position finish from last year.
Sauber is currently ahead of Alpine, Haas, Aston Martin, and Racing Bulls in the championship. Speaking on his Silverstone race finish, Hulkenberg acknowledged that the situation would have been different if the British GP had been a dry race. He said:
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"I think that's pretty good for starters today. If we had a dry race, it would have been a very different day and outcome for us."
The 37-year-old driver admitted that the team made significant improvements after the Spanish Grand Prix. He added:
"Whilst we've made some really good improvements since Barcelona, today [at Silverstone] is obviously circumstantial, and the conditions made this race and this result possible.
"But I feel in the midfield fight we've definitely gained some momentum, and we are a serious competitor there. That's where our fight is, but it's always about maximising every race, every weekend, and just trying to do well."
Newsweek Sports reported Hulkenberg's comments on his podium finish. He said:
"I always knew, you know, we have it in us, I have it in me somewhere.
"I mean, what a race, coming from virtually last, doing it all over again from last weekend. It's pretty surreal, to be honest.
"Not sure how it all happened, but obviously, crazy conditions, mixed conditions. It was a survival fight for a lot of the race.
"I think we just were really on it, the right course, the right tyres, in the right moment, made no mistakes. And, yeah, quite incredible."
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