From heartbreak to Hülkenberg podium glory
- Lily Dixon
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Written by Lily Dixon, Edited by Marit Everett
Nico Hülkenberg’s story has been 15 years in the making. Since the start of his Formula One career in 2010 to 2025, he has been the “almost” driver of F1. His name has been tied to near-misses and heartbreaks more than moments of glory. He became known not for what he achieved, but for what slipped away.
For over a decade Hülkenberg held the record for the most race starts without a podium. That all changed at the 2025 British Grand Prix. But before that long overdue redemption there were three brutal moments when he came painfully close to standing on the podium.
Brazil 2012
Interlagos. Wet and wild per usual.
In a midfield Force India car, Hülkenberg led the Brazilian Grand Prix. He looked confident in changing conditions and even fought with world champion Lewis Hamilton for the lead across various laps during the race. But on Lap 54 everything unraveled. While attempting another move on Hamilton he lost the rear and slid into his car. Hamilton was out and Hülkenberg got a drive-through penalty. He finished fifth in a moment that should’ve been his first podium (almost 13 years before it actually came). Instead it became the first major heartbreak of his career.
Germany 2019
His home race. A crowd desperate to see him succeed. The chaos of Hockenheim in 2019 handed midfield drivers their best shot at a podium in years and Hülkenberg was right in the mix.
Driving for Renault he made all the right calls as the track turned into a wet-weather lottery. In the late stages, he was running fourth, then at the penultimate corner of the track, his dream slipped away. The strip runoff claimed him on slicks and he hit the barriers hard. His race was over.
Austria 2016
The Red Bull Ring became a part of Hülkenberg’s story when he qualified P3 in mixed conditions and slated himself for a podium appearance. But tyre degradation and a poor strategy call in the Grand Prix saw him drop down the order and later a mechanical issue ended his race completely. Another podium chance down the drain with the weekend’s rain.
Silverstone 2025
His moment finally came at the 2025 British Grand Prix, and after 239 race starts, his podium and triumph looked ever so sweet. In a Silverstone Grand Prix full of drama and risky strategy calls, Hülkenberg in the Sauber made the decision that changed everything. He stayed out on slicks during a drizzly period.So when others faltered, he climbed the order.
He crossed the line in third after fighting off Hamilton in the Ferrari.
The garage exploded. The crowd roared. Fans went into absolute overdrive. After 15 years Nico Hülkenberg was finally a F1 podium finisher. It was more than a statistic the world of F1 couldn’t hold over his head any longer. It closed a chapter. It was redemption. And it was about time.
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