Nico Rosberg believes his countryman Nico Hulkenberg has showed glimpses of absolute genius in F1 but has never been able to make the most of his potential due to a lack of “social intelligence” and some "burned bridges".
Hulkenberg made his F1 debut in 2010 with Williams and now totals 227 Grands Prix, a number that will continue to grow next season with Sauber as it transitions into the works Audi team for 2026.
Sadly, despite his longevity in the sport, the German holds the unenviable record for most F1 races without a podium finish.
All along his career among motorsport’s elite, despite flashes of brilliance on race day, Hulkenberg has struggled to capitalize on opportunities for podium finishes.
"Unbelievable" Lack of Podiums
Rosberg, who raced alongside Hulkenberg in F1 during seven season expressed disbelief at the 37-year-old inability to secure a top-three result, considering Hulkenberg’s impressive junior racing pedigree.
"It's unbelievable that Nico Hulkenberg has never been on the podium," Rosberg told Sky Sports F1.
"He was the biggest talent coming up in Formula 3, Formula 2, and showed glimpses of absolute genius in Formula 1."
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"But, somehow, [he] never lived up to that expectation, apart from again this year, where he really seemed to be so special out there, maximising the car all the time.
"In qualifying, you would say he's one of the best qualifiers from the whole grid this year, it's been amazing to watch."
A Question of Luck or Performance?
While some might argue that Hulkenberg’s lack of top results is down to bad luck, Rosberg disagrees, asserting that success in Formula 1 often comes to those who consistently demonstrate they belong at the top.
"If you show that you are one of the best, you will get to the lucky car, and he never really showed it," Rosberg explained.
Rosberg believes Hulkenberg had opportunities to race for top teams like Ferrari, but his inability to fully showcase his talent and other off-track factors prevented such moves from materializing.
"Social Intelligence" and Burned Bridges
According to Rosberg, Hulkenberg’s career struggles weren’t just about driving talent but also interpersonal skills. He pointed to Hulkenberg’s inability to navigate relationships with key decision-makers in the paddock.
"He was not the best socially, you know, social intelligence, working on the team bosses to get yourself in the right position, because he burned some bridges there, early in his career - that was one thing that he could have done better," Rosberg remarked.
This, combined with periods of underperformance, hurt Hulkenberg’s prospects. Rosberg cited Hulkenberg’s stint at Renault, where Daniel Ricciardo comprehensively outperformed him, as an example.
"And the other thing is that sometimes, he had these phases where he just wasn't good enough, like Daniel Ricciardo beating him in Renault fair and square," Rosberg said.
"And look at where Daniel Ricciardo is. Turns out he wasn't the very best either."
While failing to exploit his true potential, Hulkenberg has shown resilience during his residency in F1, returning to the grid after several years as a reserve driver and earning praise for his 2024 performances with Haas.
Hulkenberg’s experience and raw talent should still offer value to Sauber as the team prepares to enter a new era as Audi’s factory squad.
Whether the Hulk can finally secure that elusive podium remains to be seen, but Rosberg’s comments highlight how much potential remains untapped in the German veteran’s storied career.
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