Nico Hulkenberg expressed disappointment at the manner in which his 2018 Formula 1 season came to a close, in the wake of a spectacular first-lap clash.
Hulkenberg battled with Romain Grosjean on the opening lap and they ran side-by-side through the left-hander at Turn 8.
The cars made contact through the right-hander at Turn 9 and Hulkenberg’s Renault was pitched in a sequence of rolls, eventually coming to a halt upside down against the barriers.
Hulkenberg was reported to be “shaken” in the incident but was able to be extricated and was soon given the all-clear by the FIA.
In spite of his early exit Hulkenberg was able to seal seventh position in the Drivers’ Championship as the lead midfield driver.
“I am all fine it is just the normal disappointment when you are out on lap one of the race but it is obviously not what I was looking for,” he said.
“There’s such a long build-up and everyone puts in the hard work over the weekend and so to be out on lap one like this with all the damage on the car. I just feel bad. It is disappointing but we have to put it down as a racing incident.
“I was racing Romain into Turn 8 and we both locked up, I went really wide and he went even wider and I though he ran off the track so I thought I had Turn 9 to myself.
“So I went to take the apex but obviously he was still there so we made contact and then the rest we’ve seen. A couple of flips which looks spectacular but nothing really dramatic.”
The incident was investigated by stewards and they quickly deemed no further action was necessary.
Renault team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr. went on to finish the race in sixth position as the manufacturer wrapped up fourth spot in the Constructors’ Championship.
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