Hulkenberg Breaks Podium Drought at British GP
Silverstone, UK – Nico Hulkenberg ended his 239-race wait for a Formula 1 podium, securing a third-place finish at the 2025 British Grand Prix. The Sauber driver capitalized on strategic pit stops amidst changing weather conditions at Silverstone, marking a significant milestone in his 15-year F1 career.
Initially entering the sport in 2010 after securing the GP2 title with ART Grand Prix, Hulkenberg’s trajectory in F1 has been complex, often finding himself amidst midfield battles. Despite his extensive experience, this was his first time on a podium, breaking the previous record for the most race starts without a podium finish.
Current Leaders in Podium-less Starts:
- Adrian Sutil – 128 starts, best result 4th at 2009 Italian GP.
- Pierluigi Martini – 119 starts, best result 4th at 1991 San Marino and Portuguese GPs.
- Philippe Alliot – 109 starts, best result 5th at 1993 San Marino GP.
- Yuki Tsunoda – 99 starts, best result 4th at 2021 Abu Dhabi GP.
- Pedro Diniz – 98 starts, best result 5th at 1997 Luxembourg and 1998 Belgian GPs.
Sutil, who raced from 2007-2014 and returned briefly in 2014, holds the record for the most races without a podium finish. The German often competed in limited-cap equipment, facing considerable competition without securing top-three finishes.
Martini, known for his time with Minardi, achieved fourth-place finishes in 1991 but struggled to convert potential into podiums, largely due to the performance constraints of his team.
Alliot’s best result was a fifth-place finish during his tenure with several teams—he achieved limited success largely dependent on retirements ahead of him.
Tsunoda, currently with Red Bull after a stint at AlphaTauri, has made 99 starts but has yet to stand on a podium. He aims to change that in 2025, though his path remains challenging.
Diniz concluded his career with 98 starts after consistently battling towards the back in lesser-funded teams. Cumulatively, their records underscore the competitive nature of F1, illustrating how challenging it can be for drivers outside leading teams to achieve podiums.
As the season progresses, drivers like Tsunoda remain hopeful of changing their fortunes, while others reflect on careers marked by consistent effort but elusive silverware.
