Despite his sensational first podium in Silverstone, Nico Hülkenberg relies on the euphoria brake before the Grand Prix of Belgium.
“I don’t think that will happen quickly,” said the Emmericher. After the best first half of Sauber for 13 years with 41 points, 37 of them are going to his account, Hülkenberg expects a close fight in midfield for the remaining twelve Grands Prix 2025.
Since the race in Barcelona in early June, Sauber’s shape curve has been steep, the updates introduced have so far been fully paying out. “We have had a strong racing car recently – strong racing pace, good tire management, good tire life,” said Hülkenberg.
That is why his view of the second half of the season is quite positive: he hoped to be able to “use” the rest of the season and collect more points.
Especially with regard to 2026, the current high-altitude flight of Hülkenberg and Sauber Gold is worth it, then it becomes a Audi factory team. The Ingolstadt car manufacturer and the VW group behind it are high hopes in the project.
The motivation and atmosphere in the team is very high due to Sauber’s recent successes that culminated in Great Britain in Hülkenberg’s third place. Hülkenberg is not yet concerned with much in the coming year, but he knew that “at the base all teams work with high pressure on the future”.
For him, the penultimate race weekend is now in Spa before the summer break. In addition to the Grand Prix on Sunday (3:00 p.m.), a sprint will also be driven on Saturday (12:00 p.m./both RTL and Sky). It should rain again in the race, so maybe Hülkenberg surprises faster than expected.