F1 | Eifel GP | Hulkenberg: ''Very happy'' after finishing P8
A late call-up for the German saw him bag four points at this home event.
Sunday saw home hero Nico Hulkenberg produce another great performance as he stood in for Lance Stroll. Despite only having completed a few laps in qualifying before the race, the German came home in 8th place.
From 20th on the grid, he climbed up to 17th on the opening lap. He had worked his way up to P7 when he pitted for the first time on lap 29 after doing a long opening stint on the soft tyres.
Hulkenberg rejoined in 13th before moving up to 9th as the Safety Car was deployed to clear Norris’ car. He gained one more when place when he overtook Romain Grosjean on the restart to be the first German driver across the line.
The 33-year-old described it as a ‘’fun race.’’
“It has been a fun race. It was difficult to expect very much from this race with so little preparation,” Hulkenberg said.
“The other guys, they’re in their season, they’re in the car, and then here I am being thrown into the ice bath trying to swim and survive somehow. I feel quite happy and relieved that I managed this kind of performance.
“Halfway through the first stint, things were falling into place, getting into the groove and into a good rhythm with the car.
“And I think that was king and key to pull off the rest of the strategy, and stay out of trouble.
“We obviously had a bit of help along the way from some people dropping out. But still nevertheless, a good strategy and a solid drive.”
After a tough race, Hulkenberg admitted he was feeling tired as he helped Racing Point overtake McLaren for P3 in the constructors’ standings.
“I’m feeling it now: it’s a very bumpy track and I’m a bit sore because it was mentally and physically demanding out there,” he said.
“I’m very happy with the result and it was great to play a part in the team moving up into P3 in the Constructors’ Championship.
“Obviously, there’s still a long way to go in the season, but I wish the team all the best in the coming races.”
from a coffee in cologne to P8 in a never expected HomeGP 2020 .. wtf happened this weekend?! 🤠#hulkenback #2.0 #f1 pic.twitter.com/WYPPt2cKI0
— Nico Hülkenberg (@HulkHulkenberg) October 11, 2020
No practice. Started last. Finished in the points.
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 11, 2020
Who else was going to be #F1DriverOfTheDay?!
You earned it, @HulkHulkenberg! 💪#EifelGP 🇩🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/UgrcKV4ZPv
