Nico Hulkenberg breaks unwanted 32-year F1 record after disappointing end to Azerbaijan Grand Prix

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Nico Hulkenberg is well known for holding the record of most Formula 1 starts without a podium, with nearly 100 more races under his belt than second-placed Adrian Sutil on that list.

A few opportunities have been and gone for the German to break that record, but aged 37, it looks like it might be difficult to end that run before the end of his career.

It will rely on Audi hitting the ground running with Sauber and delivering him a car that is capable of competing for regular points as a bare minimum.

But first, he has seven more races with Haas to help the team secure their best result since 2019, as they chase sixth place in the constructors’ championship.

Nico Hulkenberg claims most 11th places in a Formula 1 season

The ‘Hulk’ is widely known as one of the most consistent operators in Formula 1, and is regularly in Q3 and the points at every race weekend, even if he doesn’t have a car quite capable of achieving that feat.

Sadly, he was unable to score more points at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, finishing 11th behind new temporary teammate Oliver Bearman.

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It marks five races without any points, but in that process, he has managed to break a peculiar Formula 1 record which previously stood untouched for 32 years.

A seventh 11th place finish of the season means that he now holds the records for most finishes one position away from scoring points in a Formula 1 season.

What may be most impressive, is that he has managed it with seven races to go in 2024 – which is still one more race than Michele Alboreto managed to achieve it in.

Can Haas still achieve sixth place in the constructors’ standings?

Although their pace has slightly tailed off lately, Haas are fortunate to be chasing a Visa Cash App RB team that are struggling even more than them.

Their biggest worry will be from behind as Williams – who sit just 13 points behind them, managed to score points with both cars in Baku and look much improved.

Franco Colapinto has delivered more speed and consistency over Logan Sagreant since graduating from Formula 2 to take an early opportunity with the Grove-based outfit.

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He’s the sort of driver that Hulkenberg will be competing toe-to-toe with for the rest of the season for top 10 finishes at most events.

Worryingly for Hulkenberg, his next team is rock bottom of the constructors’ having failed to score any points this year – a statistic that will need to improve next year.