(Motorsports news) Hulkenberg has participated in 193 F1 races, with a highest finish of fourth, excluding the races in 2013 in Melbourne, 2015 in Spa, and 2020 in Silverstone where he did not start. Between 2012 and 2016, he achieved that feat three times for Sauber and what was then known as Force India, but he also had a number of podium close calls.
These include his collision with Lewis Hamilton in the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, which he had led for the majority of the race, and the delayed second pitstop that cost him a third-place finish in the 2016 Monaco Grand Prix. Adrian Sutil, who has made 128 starts, is the driver without a podium finish in Formula 1.
Hulkenberg was asked if he ever felt irritated about his lack of F1 hardware despite the fact that he has never competed for a top-tier team. He responded, “That’s just a reality there. Naturally, it’s a little frustrating when you give it some thought. Because everyone who competes in racing, both then and now, wants to win. On the other hand, I’ve never had a car.
“I’ve had good vehicles and opportunity to get third, but for a variety of reasons it never actually occurred. never worked and occurred. Hulkenberg said that he had “less than a handful” of possibilities throughout his F1 career to place on the podium.
He described his current perspective on his career, which has just taken a late resurgence with Haas after Hulkenberg was dropped by Renault for 2020. “I’m here in the current Formula 1 season, working day in and day out and trying to maximize the season,” he added. “I must make the most of what I have. And sadly, the previous opportunities didn’t pan out. Of course, at the time, that was very frustrating, but it is what it is.
Additionally, someone recently informed me that the majority of races end without a podium. But there is another F1 statistic, such as “most points without a win or a podium,” which Hulkenberg leads Sutil in with 530 to 124. My argument is that statistic actually speaks for me.
Hulkenberg was anticipated to be signed by a top F1 team after his successful junior racing career and pole position for Williams in Brazil 2010 and was frequently linked with a move to Ferrari a decade ago. However, that never materialized, and he has since spent the majority of his lengthy F1 career competing for midfield squads.
Hulkenberg, who is 6 feet tall, claims that because F1’s weight and cockpit packaging rules favor smaller drivers, his height “definitely hasn’t helped” and that he lost out on opportunities to compete for stronger teams. It is known that Hulkenberg’s height was a factor in Ferrari’s decision not to hire him for the 2013 season.
Hulkenberg stated, “I’ve never received a response from a team that said, ‘Sorry, no, we turned you down because you’re too tall.'” Most likely, they wouldn’t tell me out loud. But I’m rather certain that it has, indeed, made it more difficult on occasion to jump to a top car. “Packaging problems, less space, more weight—this is not how business should be done.”
Also read: Ricciardo has stated that he will never return to the McLaren F1 level of driving style
