Andrea de Cesaris had held the record for the most Formula 1 starts without a victory (208), but Nico Hulkenberg broke it with his 209th start in Miami.
Nico Hulkenberg has a reputation as a reliable driver going back to his 2010 Formula 1 debut. The 36-year-old German has made 209 starts and has never won a race, but he has come close a few times in his 14-year career.
For a considerable amount of time, he had previously held the record for the most starts without a podium result. Now, he has surpassed the previous record of 208 starts without a win. That record belonged to Andrea de Cesaris until Hulkenberg made his 209th start in Miami.
Hulkenberg has demonstrated his ability to accelerate a car; most recently, he did so when driving for Haas since the 2023 season began. However, luck hasn’t been on his side because there are some really skilled drivers on the field and he hasn’t been given an opportunity with a spectacular car yet.
In the past, there were times when Hulkenberg had the opportunity to prevail. One such occasion was when he qualified first for Force India in the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix. He was in the lead when he and Lewis Hamilton collided, ending his chances of winning for the first time.
Could things change soon for Nico Hulkenberg?
He has been a tremendous asset to Haas since joining the team last year, but this season he most definitely won’t be placing on the podium or winning a race. It just won’t happen until some absurd things occur during a race, like many safety cars or bad weather.
Nonetheless, Hulkenberg has a lot of hope going forward, especially after the new rules are implemented and Audi acquires the team in 2026. His move to Sauber for the upcoming season has been confirmed.
The optimism around Sauber’s upcoming era is enhanced by their close ties to Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari. Even at this point in his career, Hulkenberg’s first victory could still occur if Audi enters the Formula 1 grid as strongly as predicted. Additionally, de Cesaris could reclaim the undesired record that he recently shattered.
Hulkenberg’s career is still valued by the majority of fans, even though he currently holds the record for the most starts without a podium finish. If he wins, everyone will be thrilled for him, just as they were for Lando Norris not too long ago in Miami.
