| Car Number | #27 |
| Team | Audi |
| Nationality | German |
| Born | August 19, 1987 - Emmerich am Rhein, Germany |
| Age | 38 |
2026 Season Stats
Career Stats
Biography
Nico Hulkenberg holds one of the most unusual records in Formula 1 history - the most race starts without a podium finish. Yet that statistic undersells a driver who has been widely respected by his peers and teams throughout a career spanning over a decade. Born on August 19, 1987 in Emmerich am Rhein, Germany, Hulkenberg arrived in F1 with enormous credentials, including a dominant GP2 Series championship in 2009 and a sensational pole position on his F1 debut for Williams at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Hulkenberg's career has taken him through Force India, Sauber, Renault, and Racing Point, consistently delivering strong midfield results without ever landing the top-team drive that his talent deserved. He came agonizingly close to a podium on several occasions but was denied by circumstances each time. His greatest non-F1 achievement came at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, which he won overall driving for Porsche - a result that demonstrated his versatility as a racing driver.
After losing his Renault seat at the end of 2019, Hulkenberg became F1's most popular substitute driver, stepping in for several races during 2020 and delivering impressive performances with minimal preparation time. His return to a full-time seat with Haas for 2024 was warmly received by the paddock, and he subsequently moved to Audi (formerly Sauber) for 2026 as the team's experienced hand during their transition to a full Audi factory operation.
Without points after three races in 2026, Hulkenberg and Audi are in a development phase as the German manufacturer builds toward competitiveness. At 38, Hulkenberg's role extends beyond driving - his engineering knowledge and development feedback are crucial to Audi's long-term F1 project. Whether the podium drought will ever end remains one of F1's most compelling ongoing storylines.
Interesting Facts
- Holds the record for most F1 starts without a podium finish - over 225 races
- Took pole position on his F1 debut at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix
- Won the 24 Hours of Le Mans overall in 2015 with Porsche
- Won the GP2 Series championship in 2009
- Known as "The Hulk" - one of F1's most popular nicknames
- Served as a substitute driver during 2020, delivering standout performances with no preparation