Greatness in the sport of Formula 1 has always been a sum total of talent, drive, mentality and luck. But the aspect of luck is more complex than you’d think. Michael Schumacher has etched his name in the annals of F1 history as he won 5 consecutive world championships with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. His dominance with the Scuderia was legendary, and the legacy he leaves behind in this sport is untouchable. But what if we told you that he got where is today because of his inherent mediocrity?

That’s right! The average height for men in Europe is round about the 5’9″ mark. And that’s exactly how tall the German was. Just average. But an anecdote shared by a current F1 star showcases exactly how this trait of the Kaiser led to him and Ferrari forging a partnership with the seal of approval coming straight from the racing gods.

What set Michael Schumacher apart for Ferrari

When we talk about the unluckiest drivers in F1, who pops up in your mind right away? Well, irrespective of the order, on the current grid, it has to be Nico Hulkenberg. He’s shown sparks of brilliance ever since he made his debut in this sport in 2010. However, he’s never had anything to show for it. Not even a podium!

That being said, it’s not always down to him. He’s been massively unlucky, too. And one such incident was when he missed out on a full-time Ferrari drive in 2013. The 6’0 tall Haas man narrated, “I never got a response where they said, ‘I’m sorry, we turned you down because you’re too tall’. But I’m pretty sure this hindered me… [the] packaging issues, less space, more weight.”

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His shorter frame worked for Schumacher, but can Hulkenberg’s height really be what stopped the German from achieving big things in F1?

The wasted potential of Nico Hulkenberg

One moment that sticks out in the 35-year-old’s racing career is the fateful 2012 Brazilian GP. On the verge of becoming a Grand Prix winner, the young German was in the lead at Interlagos. But fate cruelly snatched it from him as he collided with Lewis Hamilton, unluckily, after the Safety Car restart. Fortune deserted him that day, and it seems to have never come back.

And it is still as painful as it was that day for the Hulk. Back in 2019, Autosport quoted him as saying, “Ironically, last week [before Abu Dhabi], I was in bed watching Sky classic races, and I just tuned in and it’s that race [Brazil 2012]. I’m leading and I watched it all over again and my heart was bleeding.” 

Can Nico Hulkenberg snatch a win or a podium before he bids this sport goodbye?

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