In the cutthroat world of Formula 1, talent is the price of admission, but timing, politics, and sheer luck often write the final chapter. Few careers embody this painful truth more than that of Nico Hülkenberg. A driver lauded for his raw speed, remarkable consistency, and a giant-killing Le Mans victory, Hülkenberg has spent over a decade on the grid as one of its most respected talents. Yet, for all the accolades, his career is haunted by a series of agonizing near-misses—ghosts of contracts with Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari that slipped through his fingers at the final, crucial moment. This is the story of the champion that never was, and the unbelievable twists of fate that kept him from the pinnacle of motorsport.

The most recent and perhaps most public of these “almosts” came with Red Bull Racing. In late 2020, the team was in a conundrum. Alex Albon, despite his potential, was struggling to be the reliable rear gunner Max Verstappen needed. The “second seat curse” at Red Bull was a very real phenomenon, a high-pressure role that had chewed up and spit out talented drivers before him. The team needed a proven, dependable, and fast driver who could handle the pressure. Enter Nico Hülkenberg.

Fresh off a stunning super-sub performance for Racing Point (dubbed the “pink Mercedes”), where he jumped into an unfamiliar car and immediately delivered, Hülkenberg’s stock was sky-high. He was the talk of the paddock. Red Bull’s notoriously demanding advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, saw the appeal. He publicly acknowledged Hülkenberg’s formidable consistency and noted his strong relationship with Verstappen. The fit seemed perfect. Hülkenberg’s smooth, adaptable driving style and comfort with a touch of oversteer appeared tailor-made to tame the notoriously tricky Red Bull chassis, a car that demanded precision and confidence. For a moment, it seemed the stars had finally aligned.

But Formula 1 is a cruel theatre. While Hülkenberg’s case was built on a foundation of solid, consistent excellence, his rival for the seat, Sergio “Checo” Pérez, delivered a single, explosive performance that was impossible to ignore. At the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, Pérez was spun around on the opening lap, falling to dead last. What followed was one of the most breathtaking comeback drives in modern F1 history, as he scythed through the field to claim an emotional, unbelievable maiden victory. It was a “loud” performance, a headline-grabbing triumph that screamed resilience and race craft.

In the face of such a spectacular win, Hülkenberg’s quiet consistency, however impressive, was overshadowed. Dr. Marko later admitted that Pérez’s Sakhir miracle was the single deciding factor. It was a brutal lesson: a season’s worth of respect can be undone by one afternoon of glory. While whispers of Pérez’s significant financial backing from Carlos Slim also circulated, the sheer narrative power of his win was undeniable. The Red Bull door, once wide open, had been slammed shut in Hülkenberg’s face by a single, perfectly timed victory.

Rewind the clock to 2012, and you’ll find another top-team door creaking open for the German. This time, it was the Silver Arrows of Mercedes. The team was on the cusp of its hybrid-era dominance, building the foundations of a dynasty. Ross Brawn, the mastermind behind so many of Michael Schumacher’s titles and the then-Team Principal of Mercedes, was a huge admirer of Hülkenberg. He saw the young German as the ideal partner for Nico Rosberg. The deal was practically done; Hülkenberg was Mercedes’ man.

But then, a seismic shift occurred in the driver market. Lewis Hamilton, in a move that shocked the F1 world, decided to leave the comfort of his career-long home at McLaren for the unproven potential of Mercedes. It was a gamble, a leap of faith instigated by the legendary Niki Lauda. When a driver of Hamilton’s caliber—a proven World Champion with transcendent talent—becomes available, plans change. Brawn himself later confirmed it: had Hamilton not made that fateful decision, the seat was Hülkenberg’s. Once again, he was in the right place, but at the exact wrong time. He was the second choice to a future seven-time World Champion. It’s impossible to hold that against any team, but the sting of what could have been—partnering Rosberg in a car that would go on to dominate the sport for years—is a particularly painful “what if” in the Hülkenberg saga.

Perhaps the most romantic and coveted destination for any driver is the scarlet red of Ferrari. In 2013, that dream too was within Hülkenberg’s grasp. Driving for Sauber, he was putting in stellar performances, consistently outperforming his machinery and catching the eye of the Scuderia. Ferrari was looking to replace Felipe Massa and pair a new driver with Fernando Alonso. Hülkenberg was at the top of their list. A contract was reportedly on the table.

But just as with Mercedes and Red Bull, fate intervened in the form of a World Champion. Kimi Räikkönen, the “Iceman,” had successfully rebooted his career at Lotus and became a free agent. The allure of bringing back their 2007 champion was too strong for Ferrari to resist. The Hülkenberg deal was shelved in favor of the prodigal son’s return. Adding insult to injury, Hülkenberg’s own success may have inadvertently worked against him. His incredible win at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015, while showcasing his immense talent and versatility, cemented his brand as a “safe pair of hands.” He was reliable, fast, and professional—but perhaps not the “star headliner” that a team like Ferrari, with its penchant for superstar drivers, was seeking.

Furthermore, the significant rule changes for the 2014 season introduced another cruel factor: weight. Hülkenberg, being one of the taller and naturally heavier drivers on the grid, was at a disadvantage. With the new, heavier power units, every kilogram mattered. Lighter drivers allowed teams more flexibility with ballast placement, a key tool for perfecting car balance. In a game of marginal gains, his physical stature, something entirely out of his control, became a tangible drawback.

Three of the sport’s most dominant teams—Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari—all came knocking, only for circumstances beyond his control to snatch the opportunity away. His career has been a masterclass in resilience, as he continues to be a highly respected and fiercely competitive midfielder, but it will forever be defined by the shadows of these missed chances. It’s a poignant reminder that in Formula 1, the line between a celebrated journeyman and a multi-time world champion can be as thin as a single rival’s victory, a competitor’s signature on a contract, or even a few unfortunate kilograms on the scale. The story of Nico Hülkenberg is a heartbreaking symphony of “almost.”