Nico Hulkenberg delivered a remarkable performance at the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, finishing fifth and surpassing Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari. This outcome marked a significant milestone for the Sauber F1 team as their much-anticipated upgrades finally showed tangible benefits in Barcelona. Team principal Jonathan Wheatley described Hulkenberg’s strong finish as a huge relief after a challenging season start.
Upgrades Spark Progress After Struggles in Early Races
After scoring points in the season opener in Australia, Sauber had struggled amid a fiercely competitive midfield group, unable to add any further points. The Swiss outfit, preparing for a major transition to Audi’s works team in 2026, introduced substantial technical improvements at the Barcelona race. These upgrades included a redesigned floor, an updated engine cover, and modified front wing endplates, all aimed at enhancing the car’s performance.
In qualifying, both Hulkenberg and his rookie teammate Gabriel Bortoleto showed promise. Bortoleto secured 12th place, while Hulkenberg qualified 16th after narrowly losing time in the last sector of the lap.
Race Day: Hulkenberg’s Charge Amid Unpredictable Conditions
Sauber’s advancements proved their worth in the race itself. Hulkenberg made an excellent start, moving from 16th to ninth by the time Andrea Kimi Antonelli retired due to a Mercedes engine failure. Following a late-race restart, Hulkenberg overtook Isack Hadjar and then famously passed Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari, climbing into sixth place. This position improved to fifth after Max Verstappen received a time penalty for a track limits violation.
This result marked Sauber’s best finish since Valtteri Bottas secured fifth place at the 2022 Imola Grand Prix, underscoring the team’s gradual return to form after a difficult period.
Team Principal Emphasizes Importance of Upgrades and Future Potential
Jonathan Wheatley expressed his satisfaction not only with the result but also with the performance leap reflected in the car’s capabilities at Barcelona, a circuit known for testing overall car performance rigorously.
“There’s so much hard work going on, so much passion at the factory and I think it just feels like this huge relief, because we know what we’ve been capable of,”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Boss
He added,
“I was just pleased that the upgrade did what we expected it to do, The feedback from the drivers was consistent and we had a racing car under us today. It’s the first time that I’ve felt that since I’ve been here and it’s a great feeling.”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Boss
Wheatley stressed that even small improvements can seriously impact their competitiveness in the midfield, highlighting how often qualification to Q2 has been missed by fractions of a second.
“The fight we’re in, a tenth of a second makes a massive difference. How many times have we missed out on Q2 by a hundredth of a second? Any performance you put on the car is going to make a difference.”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Boss
He also pointed out that success at Barcelona typically reflects a car’s strong potential at other venues.
“If we look at Barcelona for as long as I’ve been coming here, since 1991, it’s been a true test of a car’s performance, and generally a car that performs here well, performs well at a lot more circuits. The tools are working now, the correlation’s good.”
—Jonathan Wheatley, Sauber Team Boss
Rising Talents and Hulkenberg’s Standout Drive
While Wheatley praised the progress of rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, acknowledging the Brazilian driver’s development journey, it was Hulkenberg who earned the most acclaim for his decisive moves during the race. His overtake on Hamilton, a seasoned competitor, was particularly impressive.
“It was a bit of a pinch yourself moment because that was on pace,”
—Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Driver
Looking Ahead: Sauber’s Renewed Ambitions in the 2024 Season
With this renewed performance in Spain, Sauber aimed to transition from midfield spectators to consistent points challengers. Their Barcelona upgrades have provided the team with better tools and confidence to compete more actively in upcoming Grands Prix. As Audi prepares to take over the team’s operations in 2026, maintaining and building on these improvements will be crucial for Sauber’s future competitiveness in Formula 1.
