Hülkenberg Rises to Glory in Austin: “The Entire Team Deserves This Result!”
In a stunning comeback at the Circuit of the Americas, Nico Hülkenberg of Sauber has shocked the motorsport world by clinching an impressive 8th place finish in the latest race—his first top-ten finish of the season since the Silverstone Grand Prix. After a challenging sprint race that ended prematurely due to a collision, Hülkenberg has proven that resilience is key in Formula One.
The German driver began the weekend as a formidable contender, delivering a surprising fourth-place finish in the Sprint qualifying. However, his aspirations took a hit when he collided with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on the very first corner, resulting in an early exit and fierce criticism from McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella. But Hülkenberg refused to let that setback define him.
Starting from the 11th position in the main race, the 38-year-old showcased an impressive mastery of the Austin circuit, climbing steadily to secure his spot back in the points. “I’m really happy to finish the race in the points,” Hülkenberg exclaimed, highlighting the team’s remarkable performance throughout the weekend. “We showed great pace from the very first practice session. With the sprint incident, we didn’t get to prove our worth, so it was fantastic to have another chance. The race was clean, well-managed on multiple fronts, and we were determined to make the most of it. The entire team deserves this result for the hard work put in.”
On the flip side, the weekend was less fruitful for Hülkenberg’s teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, who faced a tougher battle. Starting from 16th on the grid, Bortoleto could only muster an 18th-place finish. “It was a rather uneventful race for me,” he admitted. “Perhaps we could have strategized differently with the Virtual Safety Car, but starting from the back always presents challenges, especially without a significant advantage over those ahead. Overall, it was a demanding weekend. I want to thank the team for their efforts during the sessions, listening to my feedback and working hard to put me in the best position possible. We’ll learn from this weekend, understand what we could have done better, keep our heads high, and move on to the next race.”
As the F1 circus moves on, Hülkenberg’s remarkable resilience and Bortoleto’s determination encapsulate the unpredictable and thrilling nature of Formula One racing. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see what the next race holds for these talented drivers. With a newfound momentum, the Sauber team looks poised to capitalize on their hard-fought success in Austin.
