Mercedes' beautiful gesture after Nico Hulkenberg British GP podium spotted

Mercedes came to the rescue to help Nico Hulkenberg celebrate a historic podium finish at the British Grand Prix. Competition from Lewis Hamilton was fended off superbly by Hulkenberg as the German came behind McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Labelled the "highlight of the day" by Piastri, Hulkenberg had infamously not finished on a podium in 239 races. Before reprising his Formula One career with Haas in 2023, the now-Sauber driver was working as a pundit on German television. It has taken the 37-year-old 15 years to finish in the top three. The result came as such a shock that Sauber did not have anything to celebrate with.

Instead, Mercedes were on hand to supply the bubbly. They sent packages with champagne and personalised messages in German, signed by their team.

It has also been claimed that Aston Martin also paid for champagne and sent it to the Sauber garage. Staff were in a party mood as their popular driver took his place on the podium and chanted: "Nico! Nico! Nico!"

Hamilton closed the gap from behind Hulkenberg from seven seconds to five. However, the Ferrari star did not have quite enough to secure a podium place.

Hulkenberg said afterwards: "I am ecstatic. This is such a special day for the team and for me personally. That first podium feeling... I cannot put it into words. It was such an intense race with changing conditions all the time, and you always feel like you are right on the edge.

"We made the right calls today, especially stopping later for slicks, that decision was crucial and made all the difference. The battle with Lewis in the final stint was really intense.

"He was closing the gap, but I managed to keep him behind and even pull away a little as the tyres came in. I think if it had been a dry race, the day would have looked very different for us, but we made the most of the conditions and took every opportunity.

"Starting from last on the grid and finishing on the podium honestly feels kind of surreal. It's going to take a few days, a few moments, to process everything and take it all in. It's been a great team effort from start to finish, and I am really proud of what we achieved together. Now, we have two weeks to enjoy this and celebrate properly before we get back to work - and finish the first half of the season on a high."