Top 10 longest waits for a podium in F1 history

10. Felipe Massa – 57 starts

Felipe Massa arrived in F1 with Sauber in 2002 with high expectations. After being dropped at the end of that season, he spent a year as a test driver at Ferrari, before returning to the grid with Sauber in 2004.

Thanks to this experience with Scuderia, he made a good enough impression to secure a place alongside Michael Schumacher at Ferrari in 2006. Until then, his best result was a 4th place. It was finally at the European Grand Prix, during his 57th start, that he achieved his first podium by finishing 3rd behind Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.

This podium was the first of a series of 41 during his career, with also 11 victories and 16 pole positions.

9. Gianni Morbidelli – 60 starts

Less well-known than others on this list, Gianni Morbidelli still competed in 67 Grand Prix over six seasons, with teams like Minardi and Sauber.

It was at the wheel of Footwork, during his 60th start, that he stepped onto the podium for the first time, at the last Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide in 1995. Starting 13th, he took advantage of a race marked by numerous retirements to finish 3rd, which would remain his only podium.

8. Esteban Ocon – 66 starts

First current driver on this list, Esteban Ocon made his F1 debut at the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix with Manor. After two seasons with Force India, he became a reserve driver at Mercedes in 2019, before joining Renault in 2020.

During the penultimate race in Sakhir, he climbed from 11th to 2nd place in a wild race, securing his first podium in his 66th start. Since then, he has added three more, including a victory in Hungary in 2021.

6. Johnny Herbert – 67 starts

Johnny Herbert participated in 161 Grand Prix races between 1989 and 2000. Despite securing a 4th place finish in his first Grand Prix with Benetton, it took him some time to return to the top of the standings.

In Spain, in 1995, during his 67th start, he finished 2nd behind his teammate Schumacher. He then won his first victory a few races later at Silverstone and achieved a total of 7 podiums.

6. Pedro de la Rosa – 67 starts

Tied with Herbert, Pedro de la Rosa also waited for 67 starts before scoring a podium. After starting with Arrows in 1999, he became a reserve driver for McLaren. He was called up in 2006 to replace Montoya, and in just his third race that season, in Hungary, he finished 2nd — his only podium.

5. Jenson Button – 68 starts

Before becoming world champion in 2009, Jenson Button had to wait. After his promising debut with Williams in 2000, he went through difficult seasons with Renault, then joined BAR Honda.

In 2004, during the 2nd race in Malaysia, he achieved his first podium (3rd place) after 68 starts. He would go on to total 50 podiums, with 15 victories and one world title.

4. Mika Salo – 73 starts

Known as a super substitute, Mika Salo started in 1994 and went through several teams without success. In 1999, he replaced the injured Schumacher at Ferrari.

From his second race in Germany, he leads the race but lets Irvine pass for the team’s needs. He finishes 2nd for his first podium, on his 73rd start. He will secure another podium before leaving F1 a few years later.

3. Martin Brundle – 91 starts

Today a famous commentator, Martin Brundle had a long career. Although he finished 2nd in Detroit in 1984, this result was annulled after Tyrrell’s disqualification.

It was in 1992, in France, at the wheel of a Benetton, that he achieved his actual first podium after 91 starts. He would total nine in his career.

2. Carlos Sainz – 101 starts

Teammate of Max Verstappen at Toro Rosso, Carlos Sainz had to be patient. After stints with Renault and then McLaren, it was in Brazil in 2019 that he secured his first podium finish.

Starting 20th, he finishes 4th but is promoted to 3rd after a penalty is given to Hamilton. This podium comes at his 101st race. Now with Williams, he has a total of 27 podiums.

1. Nico Hülkenberg – 239 starts

And finally, Nico Hülkenberg. Since his debut in 2010 with Williams, where he secured a pole in Brazil, he had never managed to get on the podium despite numerous opportunities. After stints with Force India, Sauber, Renault, and some notable replacements, he returns to Haas in 2023.

But it was with Sauber, in 2025, at the British Grand Prix, that he finally managed to secure 3rd place at the end of a chaotic race.

Starting 19th, he brilliantly moved up through the field and held off Hamilton to secure a podium… at his 239th start.

Read also: Nico Hülkenberg finally gets his F1 podium