As the Formula 1 circus descends upon the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, all eyes are on Nico Hulkenberg.
The German driver, fresh off his career-defining maiden podium at Silverstone just weeks ago, spoke to The Independent ahead of the race, offering a fascinating insight into his current mindset, his long-awaited success, and the tantalising prospect of Audi's arrival.
Hulkenberg's third-place finish at the British Grand Prix, achieved from a staggering 19th on the grid with his Sauber, was a moment that transcended team loyalties, drawing widespread praise and visible emotion from the paddock.
It ended an unprecedented 239-race wait for a podium finish, a statistic that had long shadowed the German's otherwise impressive career.
"To be honest, that statistic was never really on my mind," Hulkenberg told The Independent. "Of course, I was aware of it, but I'm someone who always lives in the moment."
"I was glad I still knew how to spritz champagne. I did that a lot in the junior classes, but unfortunately, not so often since then."
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"It wasn't until I crossed the finish line," he revealed, when asked when he knew a podium was on the cards, "Anything can happen, especially in these conditions. The last ten laps after the final pit stop were pure nerve-wracking."
Looking ahead to this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Hulkenberg is riding a wave of confidence, but his focus remains squarely on the task at hand.
The 37-year-old’s current team, Sauber, is undergoing a significant transformation, set to become the Audi factory team in 2026.
Hulkenberg, alongside teammate Gabriel Bortoleto, has already been confirmed as part of Audi's driver line-up for their highly anticipated entry.
Hulkenberg views this impending transition as a monumental opportunity. "Next year is a reset and offers an opportunity for every team," he stated. "Audi are very serious whenever they enter any motorsport competition, hopefully, we can be a very big contender in the next few years."
"F1 is all about timing. For me, in my career, it hasn't clicked. Well, not yet."
"I did need a break and a bit of a detox. It put a lot of things into perspective. But I had that feeling that I wasn't done yet."
His return has seen him consistently impress, culminating in that unforgettable Silverstone moment.
Now, as F1 returns to the challenging Spa circuit, Hulkenberg will be looking to capitalise on his renewed momentum and continue to demonstrate why he's considered a vital component in Audi's exciting future.
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