It was a moment many Formula 1 fans believed might never come. After an incredible 238 Grand Prix starts, Nico Hulkenberg finally stood on the podium at the 2025 British Grand Prix. His long-awaited top-three finish at Silverstone was met with widespread celebration, ending one of the sport's most talked-about unenviable records. But as one curse is lifted, another is born. The question now looms: which driver inherits the title for the most F1 races without a podium finish?
Key Points:
- Nico Hulkenberg broke his 238-race podium drought at the 2025 British Grand Prix.
- The new record holder for most F1 starts without a podium is Adrian Sutil.
- This list highlights 20 tenacious drivers who raced extensively without a top-three finish.
- It's a stark reminder of Formula 1's relentless competitiveness and occasional heartbreak.
The Long Road to Glory: Hulkenberg's Epic Breakthrough
For years, Nico Hulkenberg was the undisputed king of the "most F1 races without a podium" statistic. A supremely talented and often underrated driver, "The Hulk" consistently delivered strong performances, often just missing out on that elusive top-three spot. His 238 starts without a podium finish became a running joke, a testament to bad luck, strategic missteps, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time. His incredible 3rd place finish at Silverstone in 2025 wasn't just a personal triumph; it was a moment of collective catharsis for the entire F1 community, showcasing the grit and persistence required at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Who Inherits the Unenviable Crown? F1's New Podium-less King
With Hulkenberg's monumental achievement, the torch of this bittersweet record has officially passed. The new driver at the top of the list is German compatriot Adrian Sutil. Over seven seasons in Formula 1, Sutil amassed 128 Grand Prix starts. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, particularly a memorable 4th place finish at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix for Force India, he never managed to step onto the hallowed podium. His career, though marked by consistent points finishes, now stands as a powerful symbol of F1's unforgiving nature.
The Hard-Luck Hall of Fame: Drivers Who Chased the Podium in Vain
Here's a look at the other drivers who, like Sutil, endured lengthy Formula 1 careers without ever tasting the champagne on the podium. Their stories are a poignant reminder of the fine margins in this high-stakes sport.
Arturo Merzario – 57 Starts
Italian racer Arturo Merzario was a familiar face in the 1970s, driving for esteemed teams such as Ferrari and Williams. Across his 57 starts, he finished an impressive 4th place three times (1973 Brazilian GP, 1973 South African GP, 1974 Italian GP), consistently knocking on the door of a podium finish.
Jean-Eric Vergne – 58 Starts
A product of the demanding Red Bull junior program, Jean-Eric Vergne competed for Toro Rosso for three seasons (2012-2014). Despite accumulating 51 championship points and achieving a best result of 6th place multiple times across his 58 starts, the French driver never quite made it into the top three.
Paul di Resta – 59 Starts
British driver Paul di Resta raced in F1 from 2011 to 2017, primarily with Force India. He frequently demonstrated strong pace, recording two notable 4th place finishes, but the final step to the podium eluded him throughout his 59 Grand Prix starts.
Esteban Gutierrez – 59 Starts
Another midfield battler, Mexican driver Esteban Gutierrez raced for Sauber and Haas between 2013 and 2016. In his 59 starts, he managed a respectable best result of 7th place, but consistently challenging for the top three proved to be an insurmountable task.
Erik Comas – 59 Starts
Frenchman Erik Comas featured in F1 during the early 1990s. Over his 59 starts, primarily with Ligier and Larrousse, his career highlight was a solid 5th place finish at the 1992 French Grand Prix. A podium spot remained just out of reach.
Nicholas Latifi – 61 Starts
Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi spent three seasons with the Williams team (2020-2022). Across his 61 Grand Prix starts, he found points difficult to come by, securing just three top-ten finishes, with a best of 7th place.
Antonio Giovinazzi – 62 Starts
As a Ferrari junior, Antonio Giovinazzi raced with Alfa Romeo from 2017 to 2021. In his 62 Grand Prix appearances, he showed flashes of potential, including a strong 5th place at the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix, but a podium finish was not to be.
Zhou Guanyu – 68 Starts
The first Chinese Formula 1 driver, Zhou Guanyu, made his debut in 2022 with Alfa Romeo (later Sauber). Despite the historic nature of his participation and battling hard over 68 starts, his best finish remains 8th place as he strived for better results.
Satoru Nakajima – 74 Starts
Japanese veteran Satoru Nakajima competed from 1987 to 1991. He came tantalizingly close to the podium on two occasions, securing 4th place at the 1987 British Grand Prix and the 1989 Australian Grand Prix across his 74 starts.
Piercarlo Ghinzani – 76 Starts
Italian Piercarlo Ghinzani endured a long F1 career from 1981 to 1989. Of his 76 Grand Prix starts, he only managed to finish 21 races. His best result was a 5th place at the chaotic 1984 Dallas Grand Prix, a race where simply finishing was an achievement.
Vitantonio Liuzzi – 80 Starts
Vitantonio Liuzzi had a diverse F1 career spanning six seasons with teams like Red Bull, Toro Rosso, and HRT. Despite his 80 Grand Prix starts, the Italian driver's best finish was 6th place, never quite breaking into the top three.
Marc Surer – 81 Starts
Swiss driver Marc Surer competed for eight seasons in Formula 1. Over his 81 starts, he racked up several strong points finishes, including two 4th places, two 5th places, and six 6th places, making his absence from the podium particularly unfortunate.
Jonathan Palmer – 83 Starts
British driver Jonathan Palmer, father of Jolyon Palmer, started 83 Grand Prix races between 1983 and 1989 for teams including Zakspeed Racing and Tyrrell. His closest brush with a podium was a 4th place at the 1987 Australian Grand Prix.
Ukyo Katayama – 95 Starts
Japanese fan favorite Ukyo Katayama was known for his aggressive driving style during his six-year F1 career (1992-1997). In his 95 starts, he achieved his best result of 5th place twice, notably in the Yamaha-powered Tyrrell 022.
Marcus Ericsson – 97 Starts
While a successful Indy500 winner, Marcus Ericsson's Formula 1 tenure (2014-2018) saw him start 97 Grand Prix races, predominantly with Sauber. His highest finish was an 8th place, a stark contrast to his later open-wheel success.
Pedro Diniz – 98 Starts
Brazilian Pedro Diniz raced in F1 from 1995 to 2000, accumulating 98 starts with teams like Forti, Ligier, Arrows, and Sauber. Despite two impressive 5th place finishes, he never managed to stand on the podium.
Philippe Alliot – 109 Starts
Frenchman Philippe Alliot was the first driver on this list to exceed 100 Grand Prix starts without a podium. From 1984 to 1994, he entered 109 races for teams including RAM, Ligier, and Larrousse, with a best finish of 5th place.
Yuki Tsunoda – 111 Starts
The feisty Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda amassed 111 starts during his five-year stint, primarily with AlphaTauri and RB. He came agonizingly close to a podium with a 4th place finish, but was ultimately dropped before he could break the top three.
Pierluigi Martini – 118 Starts
Italian veteran Pierluigi Martini competed across 10 seasons, starting 118 Grand Prix races. His career with teams like Minardi and Dallara saw him achieve a memorable 4th place at the 1991 San Marino Grand Prix, his closest approach to the podium.
A Nod to Resilience and the Pursuit of F1 Dreams
These drivers represent the true spirit of persistence in Formula 1. While podiums and victories grab the headlines, the commitment and talent required to simply compete at this level for so many races, often in less competitive machinery, is immense. Their stories underscore the brutal challenge of F1, where even consistent performance doesn't always guarantee a spot in the spotlight.
