94. Nico Hülkenberg

He’s fast, he’s fearless, and he’s still fighting. While Formula 1 has never handed him a podium, Nico Hülkenberg remains one of the sport’s most respected and resilient figures – a driver whose grit has become a legend.

🏎️ The Hulk of the Midfield

Nico Hülkenberg didn’t need a top-tier car to make a name for himself. Since his F1 debut in 2010, he’s battled in the trenches with Williams, Force India, Sauber, Renault, Racing Point, Aston Martin, Haas, and now Kick Sauber.

His career has been a persistent masterclass – always maximising the tools at hand and delivering consistent points hauls, even as others around him came and went.

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🌧️ Brazil 2010: A Star Is Born

In a chaotic, rain-hit qualifying session at Interlagos, a rookie, Hülkenberg, stunned the field by grabbing pole position. It wasn’t just luck – it was strategy, skill, and steel nerves. That moment marked him as one to watch – and he’s kept fans watching ever since.

🏁 The Consistency Specialist

No flashy team radios. No diva moments. Just results.

Hülkenberg has quietly become one of F1’s most dependable drivers, the kind you want on your side when points are up for grabs. He’s the ultimate team player – and not just in F1.

In 2015, he stepped away from the grid to take on the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans – and won, first try, with Porsche. Few drivers can say that.

😂 Laughing Through the Struggles

Despite setting the record for the most Grand Prix starts without a podium, Hülkenberg took it all in stride. Rather than sulk, he dubbed it “the start of the Hulkenberg era” – a cheeky reminder that success isn’t always measured in trophies.

His self-awareness and humour have earned him legions of fans. This is a man who carries his own umbrella on a rainy race day – no entourage needed.

🔄 A Career That Refuses to Quit

Dropped by Renault in 2019? No problem.

In 2020 and 2022, Nico Hülkenberg returned as a last-minute substitute, delivering impressive performances that reminded everyone just how good he is. By 2023, he was back on the grid full-time with Haas.

Now, in 2025, he’s teamed up with rookie Gabriel Bortoleto at Kick Sauber, the team soon to become Audi’s official F1 outfit in 2026. Is this the final chapter or the start of something big?

🏡 The Man Behind the Helmet

Born in Emmerich am Rhein, Germany, Nico comes from humble beginnings. Before chasing racing dreams, he trained as a freight forwarding agent at his father’s shipping company.

He lives in Monaco with his wife, Lithuanian fashion designer Eglė Ruškytė, and their daughter, born in 2021. He’s fluent in German, Dutch, French, and English – a global driver in every sense.

🌟 The Original Hulk

Willi Weber, the man behind Michael Schumacher’s rise, managed Nico’s early career. Weber saw something special in Nico and gave him the nickname “The Hulk” – not just for his strength, but for the transformation he undergoes behind the wheel.

And just like his Marvel namesake, you wouldn’t like him when he’s racing.

🏆 Still Chasing Glory

In a world where young stars shine and fade fast, Hülkenberg’s longevity is a story worth celebrating. He’s never had the fastest car – but he’s always delivered results, respect, and resilience.

With Audi’s F1 era approaching, maybe – just maybe – Hülkenberg’s moment is yet to come.