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Failure to start British GP sums up ‘crazy’ weekend - Hulkenberg

Published on 02 Aug 2020 19:16
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By: Fergal Walsh

Nico Hulkenberg says his failure to start the British Grand Prix on Sunday sums up his “crazy” weekend at Silverstone.

On Thursday, Hulkenberg was contacted by Racing Point to fly to Silverstone and replace Sergio Perez, who had tested positive for coronavirus.

Hulkenberg managed to complete practice and qualifying without a hitch and was set to start Sunday's grand prix from 13th on the grid.

However, a pre-race power unit issue ruled him out of starting the race, which would have been his first since last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his last event for Renault.

“It's crazy, isn't it? Somehow it fits into all these crazy days that I've experienced,” Hulkenberg said. “But obviously disappointing for me and for the team.

“They tried everything, but [due to] some sort of power unit issue, we didn't manage to start the car and get out there, which is obviously a disappointing problem. We're looking into why.”

MORE: 'He looked like he never left' - Hulkenberg praised upon F1 return

It is not yet clear if Hulkenberg will be back in the car next weekend, with Perez currently isolating and recovering from the virus.

Racing Point team principal has already confirmed that if Perez is ruled out of the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone, Hulkenberg will be there to stand in once again.

Hulkenberg says that today's race would have provided him with good experience ahead of potentially another race grand prix entry next weekend.

“If there's a next weekend, then today would have been very important to get more experience to understand and learn more about the car, especially in the race conditions," Hulkenberg said.

“This is just lost on that side, but I guess it is what it is now. We'll have to see how things go for next weekend.”

The second Racing Point car, driven by Lance Stroll, crossed the line in ninth place. Following the chequered flag, Renault lodged a third protest against the Silverstone-based team.

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

it was all too good to be true :(

1
Aug 2 2020 - 21:05

F1 News Nico Hülkenberg Racing Point

Replies (7)

ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
Well that was a tremendous shame.
- + 0
- Aug 2 2020 - 20:07
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
it was all too good to be true :(
- + 1
- Aug 2 2020 - 21:05
siggy74

Posts: 194
Someone, didn't want him to race ;p LOL
- + 1
- Aug 2 2020 - 22:41
Aswin

Posts: 14
They were able to ditto 2019 merc but could not get the engine started....too hard to believe this...
- + 0
- Aug 2 2020 - 23:34
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  But why would they sabotage their own race in such a significant way? That's real $$ that was lost by not collecting points
  + 0
  
  Aug 3 2020 - 23:08
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  some sources imply that the current merc pu is a powerful diva, so could be an issue so tricky that they couldn't get it running and had no time to slam a new pu into the car.
  + 0
  
  Aug 4 2020 - 22:15
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
Poor
- + 0
- Aug 3 2020 - 19:44