In Formula 1, standing on the podium is a dream moment that defines careers. For some, it happens early in their first season or even their debut race. However, for others, it takes years of perseverance, tireless effort, and unwavering belief to step onto the top-three stage finally.
This article examines the F1 drivers who took the longest to secure their first podium, ranked by the number of race starts required before achieving success. Some of these stories are heartbreaking. Others are inspiring reminders that patience in F1 can eventually pay off.
Longest Waits for First Podium in F1 History
The table below ranks Formula 1 drivers by the number of races they completed before achieving their first career podium finish.
| Rank | Driver | First Podium Year | Team | Race Starts Before Podium | First Podium Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nico Hulkenberg | 2025 | Stake F1 Team, Kick Sauber | 239 | 3rd – British GP |
| 2 | Carlos Sainz | 2020 | McLaren | 101 | 2nd – Italian GP |
| 3 | Martin Brundle | 1992 | Benetton | 91 | 3rd – French GP |
| 4 | Lando Norris | 2020 | McLaren | 31 | 3rd – Austrian GP |
| 5 | Giancarlo Fisichella | 1997 | Jordan | 30 | 3rd – Canadian GP |
1 Nico Hülkenberg – 239 Races
After debuting in 2010, Nico Hülkenberg was widely regarded as the most experienced Formula 1 driver never to have scored a podium. That all changed at the 2025 British Grand Prix, when he finished P3 at Silverstone, driving for the Stake F1 Team, Kick Sauber.
At 239 race starts, Hülkenberg broke the long-standing record for the longest wait to a podium finish in F1 history. His emotional celebration marked the end of one of the sport’s most frustrating streaks and was celebrated across the F1 paddock.
2 Carlos Sainz – 101 Races
Carlos Sainz Jr., son of rally legend Carlos Sainz, made his F1 debut in 2015. Despite strong performances at Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren, it wasn’t until the 2020 Italian Grand Prix at Monza that he secured a P2 finish after 101 races.
This podium proved to be a major turning point, and he has since become a race winner and consistent top-three finisher with Ferrari.
3 Martin Brundle – 91 Races
Martin Brundle, now a famed F1 commentator, finally stood on the podium at the 1992 French Grand Prix after 91 starts, racing for Benetton alongside Michael Schumacher.
While never a race winner, Brundle’s podium was a highlight in a solid racing career across multiple teams during the competitive turbo and early V10 eras.
While early wins and podiums define some Formula 1 careers, others are built on grit, determination, and years of perseverance. Nico Hülkenberg’s emotional 2025 podium is a powerful reminder that persistence matters, even in a sport as unforgiving as F1.
These drivers didn’t give up, and their moments on the podium are now written into F1 history. For fans, they’re a reminder never to stop believing.
FAQs
Q: Who holds the record for the most races before the first podium in F1?
Nico Hülkenberg holds the record with 239 race starts before his first-ever podium at the 2025 British Grand Prix.
Q: Which F1 driver has the most starts without a podium?
Adrian Sutil made 128 starts without ever finishing on the podium. His best finish was 4th place.
Q: Why do some drivers take so long to reach the podium?
A mix of factors contributes, including team performance, bad luck, team strategies, and timing. Many drivers begin in underperforming cars and wait years for a race where everything finally comes together.
