Hulkenberg has enjoyed a long F1 career, racing for a hos💧t of midfield outfits such as Williams, Force India, Renault and now Haas.

The German was linked with a switch to Ferrari for 2013 aജnd 2014, while he was also the favourite to replace at Mercedes had he not already committed to Renault for 2017.

Neither move materialised with Fe𒈔rrari ultimately opting to keep before replacin🤪g him with in 2014.

Back then, taller dri♍vers were more penalised for their additional weight, particularly with the introduction of the heavier, V6 hybrid engines in 𝓡2014.

explained in 𝐆2014 that he and Hulkenberg could be disadvantaged by 0.2s to 0.3s in 2014 due to their bigger frames.

By 2019, the FIA introduced a minimum driver weight so taller drivers would no longer be h🎃ampered.

“I’ve never had an answer where [teams] said, ‘Sorry, no – we turned you down because you’re too tall’,”♓ Hulkenberg said. 

“Probably they wouldn’t tell me straight to my face. But I’m pretty sure that it ✅has, yeah, hindered the odd opportunity and occasion to jump to a top car. Packaging issues, less space, more w🅰eight, which is not the right way around in this business.”

Hulkenberg has the unfortunaꦍte🐈 record of having the most starts (193) without the podium.

Despite the statistic, Hulkenberg believes his F1 career is testament to his longevity.&𝔍nbsp;

“Obviously, when you start thinking about it that’s a little bit frustrating," he added. Because every racing driver back then and ꧅even now wants to win, ideally.𝔍 But at the same time, I’ve never had the car.

“I’ve had good cars and als♏o had opportunities to deliver the podium, but then for various reasons it never really happened. Never clicked and happened. But, to be honest, I’m still in a good, happy place – enjoying myself. And if I reflect back, of course there were things I could’ve done better.

“But I’m not bitter or frustrated about it. I’m in a good place and going to hit I think 200 grands pr🦩ix later in the season – somewhere around Mexico [in October]. And whi💯lst not having the podium, I think if I would be so bad I would’ve not managed to stick around [for] 200 grands prix – so, there must be some good in there too somewhere.”