Sauber team principal 'feels like Donald Trump' after Hulkenberg's podium prompts great interest

In Jonathan Wheatley first season, the Sauber team, that will become Audi next season, could get back on the podium for the first time since 2012.

With that result, more journalists joined him in the paddock after the Grand Prix, something he also noted. "I feel like Donald Trump," he said.

The team principal was over the moon to say the least with the result. Having worked for Red Bull for approximately two decades, Wheatley still believes he has seen something he has never witnessed before at the British track.

"Nico drove an outstanding race today, one of the best I've seen at Silverstone and one of the best I've seen of any driver ever and it seems incredible to me that we're all celebrating a podium as it feels to me like he should have been getting them all his career, it seems to be the longest waited podium ever," he told GPblog among others.

He continued: "I've considered him to be an extraordinary talent for a very long time and I think I've been consistent in saying that to everyone here. It seemed incredible to me that he's never achieved a podium in his career. I think he showed today what he's capable of and I think also for him it's a milestone, the monkey's off his back."

Next season, the team will become Audi, and will compete with their own engines. Wheatley sees this result proved they are on the right track ahead of the transformation.

Once the team ends up becoming Audi in 2026 after the regulation change, can Hulkenberg also achieve his first victory in F1? Wheatley doesn't doubt the German has the ability to do so. "I think Nico showed today what he's capable of. I think given the right race car, given the right circumstances, he's capable of delivering that. I have no doubt he can win a race."