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Nico Hulkenberg: F1’s Greatest Mystery—227 Races, No Podium, and a Legacy of ‘What Ifs’

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Nico Hulkenberg: F1’s Greatest Mystery—227 Races, No Podium, and a Legacy of ‘What Ifs’

Nov 21, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Haas F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg (27) arrives with wife Egle Ruskyte before practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Nico Rosberg, the 2016 Formula 1 World Champion, has highlighted the enigma that is Nico Hulkenberg—a driver once hailed as the “biggest talent” of his generation, yet somehow left searching for a podium after 227 race starts. Hulkenberg holds the dubious honor of being the driver with the most starts in F1 history without a top-three finish, a record that leaves fans and pundits baffled.

A Career of Missed Opportunities

Hulkenberg burst onto the scene in 2010 with Williams, even securing a stunning pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix in his rookie season. Yet, despite moments of brilliance, the German has never stepped onto the rostrum.

Rosberg, speaking to Sky Sports F1, expressed disbelief at Hulkenberg’s podium-less streak:

“It’s unbelievable that Nico Hulkenberg has never been on the podium. He was the biggest talent coming up in Formula 3, Formula 2, and showed glimpses of absolute genius in Formula 1.”

The 36-year-old German has spent much of his career in midfield teams, showcasing undeniable skill but rarely getting the machinery to fight for consistent victories. Despite this, his performances with Haas in 2023 were strong enough to earn him a works seat with Audi for 2026.

Rosberg’s Harsh Verdict

Rosberg didn’t hold back when analyzing why Hulkenberg never ascended to the heights expected of him. While praising his qualifying prowess in 2023, he pointed to two critical flaws:

  1. Missed Social Opportunities:“He was not the best socially, you know, social intelligence, working on the team bosses to get yourself in the right position. He burned some bridges early in his career.”
  2. Inconsistent Performances:“Sometimes, he had these phases where he just wasn’t good enough, like Daniel Ricciardo beating him in Renault fair and square.”

Rosberg noted how Hulkenberg’s inconsistency and occasional underperformance held him back from securing a seat in a championship-winning team—a stark contrast to peers like Ricciardo, who found success but still fell short of being considered among the sport’s elite.

The Ferrari What-If

Hulkenberg’s career might have taken a different trajectory had he been chosen to replace Felipe Massa at Ferrari in 2014. Instead, the Scuderia opted for Kimi Raikkonen, leaving Hulkenberg confined to the midfield. That missed opportunity continues to linger as a turning point in what could have been a very different story.

A Fresh Start with Audi

In 2025, Hulkenberg returns to Sauber, soon to become Audi, partnering with F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto. With Audi’s ambitious plans for 2026, Hulkenberg’s twilight years in F1 could offer redemption and a chance to finally erase the stigma of being the sport’s most talented nearly-man.

A Legacy of ‘What Could Have Been’

While Hulkenberg’s technical skill and flashes of brilliance are undeniable, Rosberg’s assessment paints a picture of a driver whose career was as much defined by missteps as it was by misfortune.

“If you show that you are one of the best, you will get to the lucky car. He never really showed it.”

With a new chapter beginning at Audi, Hulkenberg has one last chance to prove Rosberg wrong and cement his legacy as more than just the driver who never made it to the podium.

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