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Nico Hulkenberg: A Veteran’s Journey to Audi and the Elusive F1 Podium

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
January 8, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Nico Hulkenberg: A Veteran’s Journey to Audi and the Elusive F1 Podium

Oct 20, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Moneygram Haas F1 Team driver Nico Hulkenberg (27) of Team Germany walks through the track entrance before the 2024 Formula One US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Nico Hulkenberg’s Formula 1 career has been a tale of unfulfilled promise and relentless resilience. The 37-year-old German, who debuted in 2010 for Williams at the Bahrain Grand Prix, is preparing to lead the Sauber team’s transformation into Audi in 2025 alongside rookie teammate Gabriel Bortoleto. As the longest-serving F1 driver without a podium, Hulkenberg’s career remains a subject of fascination and debate.


The Stats: A Career Without the Champagne

With 227 GP starts under his belt, Hulkenberg has raced for an array of teams:

  • Force India: 78 races
  • Renault: 62 races
  • Haas: 46 races
  • Williams: 19 races
  • Sauber: 18 races
  • Aston Martin and Racing Point: 4 races combined

Despite flashes of brilliance, Hulkenberg has yet to stand on an F1 podium—a record that remains a glaring omission from an otherwise respectable career. His closest call came at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, where a collision with Lewis Hamilton denied him what seemed to be a certain podium finish.


Rosberg’s Take: A Talent Undermined by Missteps

Speaking to Speedweek, 2016 F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg reflected on Hulkenberg’s career, balancing praise for his raw talent with criticism of his career management and racecraft.

  • Qualifying Genius: “This year [2024], he really seems to be so special out there, maximizing the car all the time. In qualifying, you would say he’s one of the best on the grid—it’s just amazing to watch.”
  • Missed Opportunities: “It’s unbelievable that Nico Hulkenberg has never been on the podium. He showed glimpses of absolute genius in Formula 1, but somehow never lived up to that expectation.”
  • Team Dynamics and Social Skills: Rosberg suggested Hulkenberg’s lack of “social intelligence” and burning bridges early in his career hampered his chances of landing top-tier drives. “He wasn’t the best socially… that was one thing he could have done better.”
  • Accountability: Dismissing the notion of bad luck, Rosberg said, “If you show that you are one of the best, you will get to the lucky car. And he just never really showed it.”

The Audi Era: A Fresh Start?

In 2025, Hulkenberg joins a rejuvenated Audi-backed Sauber team, replacing outgoing drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. Partnering with Gabriel Bortoleto, the reigning F2 champion, Hulkenberg will bring invaluable experience to a team aiming to establish itself as a competitive force in the sport’s new era.


A Glimmer of Glory

Hulkenberg’s one taste of champagne came outside Formula 1, at the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours. Driving for Porsche alongside Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber, he secured victory on his debut—a testament to his adaptability and skill in endurance racing.


The Road Ahead

As the Audi project begins, all eyes will be on Hulkenberg to see if he can finally break his podium curse. With Audi’s resources and ambition, the German veteran may find himself in a competitive car capable of delivering the long-awaited result. However, as Rosberg highlighted, the onus will remain on Hulkenberg to capitalize on every opportunity.

Will the 2025 season mark a turning point in Hulkenberg’s career, or will the podium drought continue? The stakes have never been higher for the German veteran.

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