Hulkenberg reveals ‘golden ticket’ that helped him secure impressive P5 in Spanish GP

Nico Hulkenberg hailed Kick Sauber’s “big step” forward at the Spanish Grand Prix that allowed him to secure his best race result since 2019 as he crossed the line in sixth position before rising to fifth thanks to Max Verstappen’s 10-second penalty.

In their final season under the Kick Sauber name, with Audi taking over the team to coincide with 2026’s regulation changes, the Swiss-based team have struggled to consistently score points – a promising seventh place for Hulkenberg in the season opener was their only top-10 finish until this weekend.

The German was outqualified by his rookie team mate Gabriel Bortoleto in Spain as he was knocked out in the first stage of Qualifying, leaving him to start the Grand Prix from 15th on the grid after Lance Stroll withdrew with an injury.

His fortunes changed as an early first pit stop and series of overtakes saw Hulkenberg break into the points-scoring positions by the time the Safety Car was called, and a late overtake on Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton earned him P5 at the chequered flag once Verstappen’s penalty was applied.

2025 Spanish Grand Prix: Hulkenberg powers past Hamilton to grab P6 on penultimate lap

“Today, just everything clicked,” Hulkenberg said afterwards. “Good start, mega first lap, made a bunch of positions, which was the foundation for the race.

“After that, to be honest it was just a good car – good rhythm, good balance and harmony, the updates really paying dividends which was very enjoyable and great to see.

“I think before the Safety Car I was P8, and then the Safety Car kind of mixed up the race.

«I think in the end, being out in Q1 yesterday and having all new fresh tyres was the golden ticket in hindsight, so pretty ironic but it paid off today.”

BARCELONA, SPAIN - JUNE 01: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany driving the (27) Kick Sauber C45 Ferrari on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) — Hulkenberg’s last P5 result came at the 2019 Italian Grand Prix when he drove for Renault

Kick Sauber introduced a comprehensive upgrade package this weekend which improved the consistency and balance of the car, giving both drivers more confidence to execute their overall best weekend of the season so far.

Hulkenberg’s pass on a former world champion demonstrated this well, but he was eager to manage expectations surrounding the team’s performance and explained that there is still a considerable margin to their competitors on the grid.

“Lewis, I think he was on used softs, and I still had all new [tyres] because I was out so early yesterday,» he added. «It just shows you what a difference it is from used to new. One lap takes a lot of energy and life out of the tyres.

“That was obviously enjoyable but I think we’re not there really fighting with the big boys. I think we made a big step in terms of fighting with the other midfield teams.”