Nico Hulkenberg has thrown down the gauntlet to rivals RB. as he and Haas target snatching sixth place in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship from the Faenza outfit.
Hulkenberg started the Singapore Grand Prix in fifth place, targeting a high points finish at the chequered flag, seeking to take advantage in the tight battle in the F1 lower order.
The German enjoyed an attacking opening lap, passing the McLaren of Oscar Piastri before conceding position midway through the lap.
However, he maintained sixth place until his stop on Lap 29; he inevitably fell down the order once the Ferraris and the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso recovered from their poor starts.
Speaking after the race, Hulkenberg said the pain of missing out on points last weekend in Baku had been redeemed, but the team needed to review his one-stop strategy
“Happy to get points, that’s what matters, obviously. From that point of view, good.
“A few things I think to look into and review in terms of strategy. But otherwise a clean race, obviously not very eventful, but quite stressful, keeping the Red Bull at bay for the whole second stint.
“It was tough to bring it home with the tyres and everything, but yeah, we managed. Happy, and a bit of redemption from last week.”
‘Clinical’ second stint required
Hullkeberg revealed the immensely challenging heat in Singapore affected him, highlighting the need for a perfect second stint with no mistakes in order to conserve his hard tyres.
“A very intense second stint,” he added. “I had to stay faultless and super clean and clinical, like everyone. But yeah, it was tough feeling heat from him [Perez] and catching Fernando [Alonso], then being in his dirty air.
“It’s tough to overtake obviously with these cars, when you get close now, and the braking zones are so small we brake so late, very difficult to overtake here. But yeah, difficult second stint under a lot of pressure from him [Perez]. Not that we were racing, but I just had to stay clean.
“It wasn’t easy, it was very challenging and tough. So it makes it a bit sweeter that we managed to succeed.”
The German also reiterated his belief that sixth place in the constructors’ championship is achievable for Haas. The American team is now just three points away from RB.
“I think everyone in the team firmly believes that we can challenge and fight them. We scored a point last weekend [with Bearman]. We should have scored more, and now six races to go, it’s all to play for.
“Obviously, they’re not going to hand it to us. They’ll try to fight back, but it’s just a race till the end. But I think we have good momentum. Now there’s a bit of a break, but the next triple header, I really look forward to probably my favourite time of the season.
“We’re competitive in the races, and in Austin, we actually get further upgrades. So that’s encouraging, but I think some good circuits coming for us and our package, and I look forward to hopefully a couple more points.”
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