Nico Hülkenberg has long been considered one of Formula 1’s most consistent performers, yet his career remains a study in what might have been. According to former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, the German driver’s potential could have delivered far more had circumstances aligned in his favour. Speaking to German outlet Web.de, Steiner remarked that Hülkenberg “could have achieved much more in Formula 1 if he had been in the right car at the right time.”
The former Haas boss did not shy away from identifying a pattern in Hülkenberg’s career path, suggesting the driver seemed to have “a special talent for always choosing the wrong team.” On more than one occasion, Hülkenberg was reportedly on the cusp of securing a top-tier seat, yet the final deal never materialised.
Opportunities that slipped away
One of the most tantalising “what if” moments dates back to 2013, when Hülkenberg revealed he had a realistic chance of a race seat with Ferrari. “There were a few discussions,” he said at the time, but ultimately it was Kimi Räikkönen who joined the Scuderia for the 2014 season. Another near miss came at Mercedes, where former team boss Ross Brawn admitted that had Lewis Hamilton not signed for the team in 2013, Hülkenberg was the next in line.
The consequences of that twist of fate are well known. Hamilton would go on to claim six world titles with the Silver Arrows, becoming the most successful Formula 1 driver in history in terms of race victories. Hülkenberg, meanwhile, found himself plying his trade with a succession of midfield and lower-grid teams including Williams, Force India, Racing Point, Renault, Aston Martin, Haas, and his current squad, Sauber.
Finally on the podium
Despite his talent being widely recognised, Hülkenberg’s career was long marked by an unusual statistic: the most race starts without a podium finish. That changed in 2025 at Silverstone, when he secured third place for Sauber, marking both his own first podium and the team’s first since 2012. Steiner expressed his delight at the breakthrough, calling it “wonderful” and insisting that “Nico absolutely deserves it.”
Yet even with this milestone achieved, Steiner is realistic about the future. “Something extraordinary” would be required for Hülkenberg to get his hands on a race-winning car at this stage of his career. The 37-year-old, Steiner pointed out, is unlikely to be the focal point of a World Championship project. “He’s simply too old for that,” he said, before adding that the German remains “exactly the right person” for any team needing a dependable and experienced driver.
Safe hands for Sauber’s resurgence
Hülkenberg’s podium came in the midst of an encouraging resurgence for Sauber, which has been steadily improving ahead of its transformation into the Audi works team in 2026. Steiner noted the “huge progress” made by the Hinwil-based outfit over the course of the season and praised the team’s direction. “The direction is right,” he said, expressing optimism that Audi’s arrival could deliver results beyond expectations.
While the prospect of Hülkenberg battling for a championship may have faded, his role as a steady and skilled competitor remains valuable in the Formula 1 paddock. For Sauber, his experience is proving instrumental as the team builds momentum towards a new era. For Hülkenberg, the Silverstone podium serves as both vindication of his persistence and a reminder of the career heights that, under different circumstances, might have been reached years earlier.
So, jury, do you think Hülkenberg’s story is one of squandered potential or an example of maximising the hand a driver is dealt in Formula 1?
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