Sep.24 (GMM) Nico Hulkenberg’s long-awaited first Formulation 1 podium at Silverstone was one in every of 2025’s feel-good moments – however inside Sauber, the veteran is quietly being outshone by rookie teammate Gabriel Bortoleto.
Hulkenberg, 38, has amassed a decent 37 factors this season and sits a stable tenth within the standings, comfortably forward of Bortoleto on 18.
However a more in-depth take a look at Saturdays tells a special story. As soon as hailed as a one-lap specialist, Hulkenberg has now been overwhelmed in qualifying by his Brazilian teammate seven weekends in a row.
“It’s a little bit of confidence on the absolute restrict that I’m lacking,” Hulkenberg admitted at Baku.
“Our automotive isn’t as sturdy on a single lap as it’s within the race. Within the tight midfield, just a few hundredths could make the distinction.”
That shortfall has been painfully apparent since mid-season. After edging Bortoleto in 4 of the primary 5 occasions, the tables turned – and the rookie has dominated ever since.
At tracks he is aware of effectively, the 20-year-old has persistently delivered flawless laps whereas Hulkenberg has too typically fallen brief, even clipping the wall in Q1 at Baku.
Group principal Jonathan Wheatley defended his senior driver. “Nico is super-fast over one lap and in race trim – extraordinary, actually.
“For those who analyse the information, many of those classes have been determined by a thousandth or two,” he advised reporters. “There’s no basic downside. It’s only a part, and it could actually flip round in a heartbeat.”
Wheatley additionally praised Bortoleto. “Gabriel is a fast learner,” mentioned the previous Purple Bull sporting director.
“If one in every of them nails a lap, he wins the duel. Currently, Gabriel has been the one doing that. However we’ve acquired upcoming tracks like Singapore and Las Vegas the place he has no reference. That will swing issues again.”
Wheatley added: “We as soon as talked perpetually about Nico by no means getting a podium, and that story ended. I feel the qualifying story will too.”
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