Drivers praise Nico for maiden F1 podium
Team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto led the rounds of deserved praise saying: 'Seeing him fight for the podium and achieve this result after so many years in F1 means a lot. He is the best team-mate I have ever worked with - both as a driver and as a person - and he absolutely deserves this moment.'
Four-time defending champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull greeted Hülkenberg during the cool-down lap and was swift to go over to him in parc feme to shake hands. 'The race wasn't that enjoyable for me but it was nice to see Nico get his first podium and I'm sure he will be celebrating tonight,' said Verstappen, who could only manage a fifth place after spinning on track and dropping to 10th.
Williams' Carlos Sainz, a former team-mate of Hulkenberg at Renault in 2018, said that the German has always been a top-five driver in the grid. (PA Media/dpa)
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