Hulkenberg has began 193 F1 races – not together with the 2013 Melbourne, 2015 Spa and 2020 Silverstone races he failed to start out – with a finest results of fourth.
He achieved that outcome 3 times for what was then referred to as Drive India and Sauber between 2012 and 2016, however had a number of different podium close to misses.
These embody his crash with Lewis Hamilton after main a lot of the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix and the sluggish second pitstop that meant he missed out on a probable third within the 2016 Monaco GP.
The motive force with the following highest race complete with out an F1 podium is Adrian Sutil, with 128 begins.
When requested if he ever felt pissed off at his lack of F1 silverware even when contemplating he has by no means pushed for a top-line crew within the championship, Hulkenberg replied: “That is stating a truth there.
“Clearly, while you begin fascinated with it that is a bit of bit irritating. As a result of each racing driver again then and even now needs to win, ideally. However on the similar time, I’ve by no means had the automotive.
“I’ve had good automobiles and likewise had alternatives to ship the rostrum, however then for numerous causes it by no means actually occurred. By no means clicked and occurred.
“However, to be sincere, I am nonetheless in a great, glad place – having fun with myself. And if I replicate again, in fact there have been issues I may’ve carried out higher.
“However I am not bitter or pissed off about it. I am in a great place and going to hit I feel 200 grands prix later within the season – someplace round Mexico [in October].
“And while not having the rostrum, I feel if I’d be so dangerous I’d’ve not managed to stay round [for] 200 grands prix – so, there should be some good in there too someplace.”
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Crew
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Hulkenberg additionally mentioned his probabilities to attain a podium in all his F1 expertise had come right down to “lower than a handful” of alternatives.
“I am right here within the present Components 1 season, working day-in, day-out and making an attempt to maximise the season,” he mentioned of how he now views his profession, which has had a late revival with Haas after Hulkenberg was dropped by Renault for 2020.
“I’ve to maximise what I’ve. And the alternatives previously, sadly they did not work. In fact, that was very irritating on the time, however that’s what it’s.
“There’s that and somebody instructed me the opposite day there may be this statistic ‘most races with no podium’.
“However there may be one other statistic like ‘most factors with no victory or with no podium in F1’ [Hulkenberg has 530, ahead of Sutil’s 124]. My level is that statistic speaks for me, truly.”
Following his spectacular junior racing profession and Brazil 2010 pole for Williams, Hulkenberg was anticipated to be signed to a number one F1 squad and was often linked with a transfer to Ferrari a decade in the past.
However that by no means got here to cross and he has since spent his lengthy F1 profession racing primarily for midfield squads.
Hulkenberg, who’s 6ft tall, says he’s top “undoubtedly hasn’t helped” and believes he missed out on probabilities to race for higher groups because of F1’s weight and cockpit packaging necessities than favour smaller drivers.
It’s understood that Hulkenberg’s top was one of many the reason why Ferrari determined towards signing him for 2013.
“I’ve by no means had a solution the place [teams] mentioned, ‘Sorry, no – we turned you down since you’re too tall’,” mentioned Hulkenberg. “Most likely they would not inform me straight to my face.
“However I am fairly positive that it has, yeah, hindered the odd alternative and event to leap to a prime automotive.
“Packaging points, much less area, extra weight, which isn’t the fitting means round on this enterprise.”