Nico Hulkenberg celebrates 250th F1 start with Gladiator helmet and Sauber tribute

Nico Hulkenberg’s 250th Formula 1 start is Sauber's last

Nico Hulkenberg is making his 250th Formula 1 start in Abu Dhabi this weekend. In celebration of this huge milestone, he's wearing a special Gladiator helmet with a design that mirrors the characteristics that have allowed him to stay and thrive in the championship for such a long time.

Asked how clearly he remembers his F1 debut in 2010, the Sauber driver says he's "happy to be still around".

“Not super well," he admitted. "Bits of it, but yeah, nice milestone, nice achievement, obviously for me personally, for my career. And yeah, happy to be still around, living the dream and enjoying myself.”

The helmet design has been revealed as a symbol of his strength that culminated in a highly successful 2025 season and his first, long-awaited podium finish at the British Grand Prix.

“Well, I think it just resembles a little bit what you need here in the sport," he continued. "Resilience, fighting spirit, endurance, all these kind of attributes, I think, are needed to survive for that long in this industry."

The German's first podium was also Sauber's first podium finish since 2012, something that has helped push it from the very bottom of the constructors' standings. But while this year has been a confidence boost for Hulkenberg, it hasn't all been smooth sailing.

“To be honest, it was not something that I actively really thought about along the way. Obviously from 2010, okay, one year out, '11, and then back, it was a constant train and pretty comfortable and secure. At the end of '19 or, through '19, I kind of needed and wanted a break.

“Again, didn't think too much about the future, and then obviously had the comeback in '23, so it just evolved and kind of happened.”

On the back of his first season with Sauber, he reflected on the progress they made as a team.

“I think more or less. I think the season or the year has been a bit two-sided. Obviously, we started off poorly and under the expectations and behind our expectation and potential.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Steven Petrik, Nico Hulkenberg race engineer

Photo by: Sauber

“And then from Barcelona onwards, I think we corrected for a lot of it and had many, many point-scoring races. Obviously, a couple of highlights, main highlight being Silverstone and Barcelona, I think Gabi in Budapest, the team performance in Austria, and a few more. Austin was really good too.

“Last weekend, obviously, was very unfortunate. But so I think at the end of the day, on balance, probably it's what we wanted, what we aimed for.”

The Sauber name is set to disappear following plans to become the Audi works team next year. Hulkenberg paid tribute to the legendary team.

“I mean, yes, in a way. But at the same time, nothing in this world is forever. I think it's just the legacy they leave behind.

“All the different times in F1. How long the team has been around as a private team. I think you need to acknowledge that.

“Just give them huge credit and respect for what they've achieved and survived.”