Renault praise Hulkenberg after securing sixth
- Published on 27 Nov 2017 16:48
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Renault has thrown praise at its driver Nico Hulkenberg after the German driver secured sixth in the constructor's standings for the French team. Hulkenberg put in an impressive qualifying lap on Saturday, setting the seventh fastest time.
At the start of the race, he was passed by Sergio Perez in the Force India but got the position back after running wide at Turn 13. He was handed a 5-second stop/go penalty for gaining an off-track advantage but managed to build up a lead so he didn't lose any positions when he served the penalty at his pitstop.
He crossed the line in sixth place after Daniel Ricciardo retired from the race with a hydraulics issue. Despite Hulkenberg's teammate Carlos Sainz also retiring from the race, sixth was enough to ensure Renault overtook Toro Rosso in the standings.
"Mission accomplished. We came here with one clear objective - and I'm so proud we got it," managing director Cyril Abiteboul said. "It's a milestone for the team and an achievement that goes beyond the on-track result. It's a motivation for everyone – for every team member and a fantastic reward that will count far more through the winter than any financial considerations.
"At the start of the year we set out to finish fifth, which was very ambitious, but ambition is good – you have to set high targets," he continued. "This season we've not made it easy for ourselves and the last three weekends have been a microcosm of this rollercoaster of a year.
"Sixth was the revised goal and I'm so proud we got it. Nico has been amazing - amazing all year long. He's shown that on so many occasions. Today every lap he's driven absolutely perfectly - and also so smart so clever. It's a great result for the team," Abiteboul concluded.
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (6)
Login to replymcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
His best year so far. Hope he will get his very first podium in a career of 137 races.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
A pity about the foul pass, but he has been great this year. Hope he'll go strong in 2018 aswell.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Hulkenberg is such a solid driver. He's been unlucky not to get a top drive. Maybe owners see something we don't but to me it's baffling that drivers such as Raikkonen, Massa, Grosjean, Maldonado, Bruno Senna, were at one point or another gotten picked over Hulkenberg. That being said, he's lack of podiums is a black mark. He has definitely missed out on podiums through driving errors. I think of Brazil 2012 and Baku this year.
RenaultFM1
Posts: 100
Since he so arrogantly disrupted K-Mag's interview live on tv I lost everything for him and I not like him anymore. He has to many driving errors and he been beaten big time by Peres last few years. He was not Renault's first choice and they will kick him out next year for sure. :)
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
Just to set the record straight, Perez is top talent. It's not precisely a black mark that Hulk was beaten by him. As for driving errors, he's made some important errors, but I can only think of two. Compare that K-Mag... arguably the worst driver of 2017
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I'd say K-Mag is far from the worst driver of 2017, I'd probably rate Palmer as that. That said, Im disappointed in how aggressive of a style he has adopted. Its almost as if he tried to compete with Kvyat over the title as F1's torpedo.