Nico Hülkenberg achieved his first Formula 1 podium finish at Silverstone, but other drivers have also had to wait a long time for their podium debut
The first podium finish is a milestone for every Formula 1 driver. But some drivers reach this milestone earlier than others. And while some drivers use this first podium finish as a springboard to further success, others remain stuck at this one top-three finish.
This is because the position on the podium also varies from driver to driver: many stand on the podium for the first time in third place, some in second, and others even as winners. Esteban Ocon stands out from the current Formula 1 field: he won his first Grand Prix in Hungary in 2021 without ever having finished on the podium before.
Jenson Button is a “late bloomer”
Even a late world champion like Jenson Button struggled for a long time in Formula 1: it was only in his fifth year that he finished in the top three in a race for the first time, but then he repeated such results regularly – and finally crowned himself champion in 2009.
And then there’s Mika Salo, who joined Ferrari as a replacement for Michael Schumacher after he broke his leg in 1999. Salo promptly led Schumacher’s home race in Hockenheim and was on the verge of achieving his first Formula 1 podium with a victory. But Ferrari team orders meant he “only” finished second in that Grand Prix – behind Eddie Irvine.
Nico Hülkenberg is the clear number one
But none of that comes close to the current undisputed number one: Sauber driver Nico Hülkenberg had to wait over a decade for his first podium finish. But when he finally achieved his long-awaited success at the 2025 British Grand Prix in Silverstone, he won the hearts of everyone involved. Even Mercedes treated him to some extra champagne!
