Below is the list of tables from the database along with their columns and datatype. Need to generate an accurate SQL query for the question.
Only use the columns present in the respective table. Only use the columns which are required to generate the SQL query. Only use table joins if required and not otherwise.

### Tables ###
TABLE: CREATE TABLE table_26998693_1 ( season INTEGER, podiums VARCHAR )

### Question ###
What was the earliest season where podium was 9?

### Accurate SQL ###

SELECT MIN(season) FROM table_26998693_1 WHERE podiums = 9