Hulkenberg: Most races without a podium statistic actually speaks for me

Hulkenberg made his breakthrough onto the F1 scene back in 2010 with Williams, and showed his talent by taking pole position in a wet qualifying session for that season's F1 race in Brazil.

The German was sidelined for 2011, replaced at Williams by Pastor Maldonado who brought a hefty sponsorship sum to the Grove team. Hulkenberg returned to F1 in 2012 with Force India and went on to race in top flight Sauber and Renault until 2019 when he was dropped by the French team.

After spending four season on the sidelines in reserve roles, Hulkenberg was hired by Haas to replace Mick Schumacher, and has been impressive in his performances for the American outfit since his return, qualifying seven times in the top ten so far in 2023.

However, one statistic that continues to haunt the 35-year-old driver, who will have 200 F1 races under his belt before the end of the 2023 season, is the fact that he is the driver with most races without scoring a podium finish.

Hulkenberg was asked whether that statistic frustrates him, he was quoted by Motorsport.com saying: "That's stating a fact there.

"Obviously, when you start thinking about it that's a little bit frustrating. Because every racing driver back then and even now wants to win, ideally. But at the same time, I've never had the car.

"I've had good cars and also had opportunities to deliver the podium, but then for various reasons it never really happened. Never clicked and happened," he lamented.

"But, to be honest, I'm still in a good, happy place – enjoying myself. And if I reflect back, of course there were things I could've done better.

"But I'm not bitter or frustrated about it. I'm in a good place and going to hit I think 200 grands prix later in the season – somewhere around Mexico [in October].

"And whilst not having the podium, I think if I would be so bad I would've not managed to stick around [for] 200 grands prix – so, there must be some good in there too somewhere," the Haas driver maintained.

Looking back on his F1 career, Hulkenberg said: "I'm here in the current Formula 1 season, working day-in, day-out and trying to maximise the season.

"I have to maximise what I have. And the opportunities in the past, unfortunately they didn't work. Of course, that was very frustrating at the time, but that is what it is.

"There is that and someone told me the other day there is this statistic 'most races without a podium'," he went on. "But there is another statistic like 'most points without a victory or without a podium in F1'. My point is that statistic speaks for me, actually."

Hulkenberg has scored 530 points over the course of his F1 career, the most driver to do so without winning a race, while McLaren's Lando Norris is second behind him on 497.