Drivers Who Raced the Most F1 Grands Prix Without a Podium

Nico Hulkenberg’s Historic Third-Place Finish at the 2025 British Grand Prix

Nico Hulkenberg finally broke a long-standing record by securing a podium finish at the 2025 British Grand Prix, ending his streak of 239 Formula 1 starts without a top-three result. The achievement came as a surprise to many, especially given that Hulkenberg had spent the majority of his career in the midfield, often struggling to compete with more established teams and drivers.

The German driver’s success at Silverstone was largely due to well-timed pit stops, which allowed him to capitalize on the misfortunes of his rivals. This victory marked a significant milestone in Hulkenberg’s career, which began in 2010 after he won the GP2 title with Fred Vasseur’s ART Grand Prix team. Despite his early promise, Hulkenberg has faced challenges over the years, including a period from 2020 to 2022 where he did not compete full-time in F1.

Now, with this podium finish, Hulkenberg joins an exclusive group of drivers who have made numerous grand prix starts without ever standing on a podium. Here are some of the most notable names on this list:

Adrian Sutil – 128 Grand Prix Starts

Sutil had a respectable F1 career spanning seven seasons between 2007 and 2014, driving for teams like Spyker, Force India, and Sauber. His best finish was fourth at the 2009 Italian Grand Prix, but he never managed to secure a podium. Throughout his career, Sutil was often in the midfield, competing for points rather than podiums.

One of his closest calls came at the Nurburgring in 2009, when he briefly climbed into second place before a collision with Kimi Raikkonen cost him any chance of a points finish. At Monza, he qualified second but finished fourth, while a crash in Brazil prevented him from claiming another podium opportunity.

Pierluigi Martini – 119 Grand Prix Starts

Martini is best known for his time with Minardi, where he became a symbol of underdog spirit. He made 119 grand prix starts, with his best result being fourth at the 1991 San Marino and Portuguese grands prix. Although he never reached the podium, Martini’s performances were often influenced by retirements and strategic decisions by other drivers.

At Imola in 1991, he led for one lap due to longer stints by his competitors, while at Estoril, he finished just 10 seconds behind Jean Alesi. Martini later found success in sports cars, winning the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours for BMW.

Philippe Alliot – 109 Grand Prix Starts

Alliot had a seven-season F1 career, with his best finish being fifth at the 1993 San Marino Grand Prix. He never managed to finish on the podium, and his best result was largely due to retirements ahead of him. Alliot also holds the record for the most F1 starts without leading a single lap.

Despite his lack of success in F1, Alliot had a successful career in sportscars, earning three overall podium finishes at Le Mans and three victories in the World Sportscar Championship.

Yuki Tsunoda – 99 Grand Prix Starts

Tsunoda is the only current driver on this list, having made 99 grand prix starts without a podium. After joining Red Bull Racing in 2025, he hoped to make a breakthrough, but he has struggled to adapt to the team and compete with Max Verstappen. His best result so far has been fourth at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, though he has not been in a position to challenge for a podium since.

Pedro Diniz – 98 Grand Prix Starts

Diniz had a six-year F1 career between 1995 and 2000, driving for teams such as Forti, Ligier, Arrows, and Sauber. His best results were fifth places at the 1997 Luxembourg and 1998 Belgian Grand Prix. Despite bringing significant sponsorship money to Arrows, Diniz was never in a position to challenge for a podium.

After leaving F1, Diniz transitioned into management, eventually purchasing a 40% stake in the Prost team.

Hulkenberg’s podium finish at the 2025 British Grand Prix marks a turning point in his career, proving that even drivers who have struggled for years can still achieve their goals. It also highlights the unpredictable nature of Formula 1, where timing, strategy, and luck can play a crucial role in determining a driver’s success.