Nico Hulkenberg Breaks Unwanted F1 Record with Third-Place Finish
Nico Hulkenberg finally ended his long wait for a Formula 1 podium finish by securing third place at the 2025 British Grand Prix. This achievement came at his 239th grand prix start, marking a significant milestone in his career. The German driver, competing for Sauber, benefited from well-timed pit stops while his rivals struggled with strategy on a wet Silverstone circuit.
Hulkenberg’s journey in Formula 1 has been one of perseverance. He joined the sport in 2010 after winning the GP2 title with Fred Vasseur’s ART Grand Prix team. However, his F1 career has largely been defined by battling in the midfield, with a break from full-time competition between 2020 and 2022. Despite these challenges, his recent podium finish was a testament to his resilience and skill.
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This victory also highlights the history of drivers who have made numerous grand prix starts without ever reaching the top three. Here are some of the notable names on this list:
Adrian Sutil – 128 Grand Prix Starts
Sutil competed in seven seasons of Formula 1, from 2007 to 2014, driving for teams such as Spyker, Force India, and Sauber. His best result was fourth at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix. Although he never secured a podium finish, Sutil had several close calls.
One notable moment occurred at the Nurburgring in 2009 when Sutil climbed from seventh to second due to penalties and retirements ahead. However, a collision with Kimi Raikkonen cost him any chance of a points finish. At Monza, he qualified second but finished fourth, coming close to a podium. In Brazil, he started third but retired early after an incident.
Pierluigi Martini – 119 Grand Prix Starts
Martini is closely associated with the Minardi team, where he spent most of his career. His best results were fourth places at the 1991 San Marino and Portuguese Grand Prix. These finishes were largely due to retirements of other drivers ahead of him.
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Despite being a consistent points scorer, Martini never managed to reach the podium. His career in Formula 1 spanned from 1984 to 1995, with brief stints at Toleman and Scuderia Italia. Outside of F1, he found success in sports cars, including a victory at the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Philippe Alliot – 109 Grand Prix Starts
Alliot had a seven-season career in Formula 1, from 1984 to 1994. His best result was fifth at the 1993 San Marino Grand Prix, which was achieved through retirements of other drivers. He never led a lap in his career and only scored five points finishes.
Although he drove for McLaren briefly in 1994, he retired from the race due to mechanical failure. Alliot later found success in endurance racing, earning multiple podium finishes and victories in the World Sportscar Championship.
Yuki Tsunoda – 99 Grand Prix Starts
Tsunoda is the only current driver on this list, having made 99 grand prix starts without a podium finish. He joined Red Bull Racing in 2025 after spending four years with AlphaTauri and RB. His best result so far was fourth at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Despite gradual progress over the years, Tsunoda has struggled to compete for podium finishes. He faces stiff competition from world champion Max Verstappen and has yet to adapt fully to the Red Bull car.
Pedro Diniz – 98 Grand Prix Starts
Diniz, a former Sauber driver, now holds the fifth spot on the list of most grand prix starts without a podium. His best results were fifth places at the 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix and 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.
Diniz was often seen as a “pay driver” during his six-year career from 1995 to 2000. He moved between teams such as Forti, Ligier, Arrows, and Sauber, but never reached the podium. After leaving F1, he took on a management role with the Prost team.
These drivers exemplify the challenges of competing in Formula 1. While many have come close to a podium finish, only a few have managed to achieve it. Hulkenberg’s recent success serves as an inspiration for those still striving for their first top-three finish.
