Nico Hulkenberg takes eighth in Singapore after P7 Sprint for Audi

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Nico Hulkenberg backed up a points-scoring Sprint performance with a solid race result at the Singapore Grand Prix, crossing the line P8 after having recorded P7 in the Sprint. The outcome marked Hulkenberg’s highest-scoring round of the season so far, coming after recent frustration in earlier races.

According to Formula 1’s race weekend account, Hulkenberg qualified in P11 and then improved his starting position when he gained a place on the grid from George Russell’s power unit penalties. Both Audi drivers had experienced disappointing starts earlier in the season, but Hulkenberg’s start in Singapore proved decisive.

From the first lap, Hulkenberg jumped ahead of Pierre Gasly and Arvid Lindblad, setting him on a favourable path to manage the race. He spent the bulk of the event chasing Liam Lawson, before Russell became a late threat as the Mercedes driver had worked his way forward from a P19 grid slot.

Hulkenberg said his race preparation and early execution set up the remainder of his strategy, describing the quality of his first lap and his decision-making around Turn 2. “I think not just at the start, but I had a good lap one, a good feeling today, an instinct as to where to go,” he said. “I think inside of Turn 2 and on the exit, I got another position. So yeah, that was nice and set us up for a good race.”

He also emphasized that the pace of nearby rivals made the race close throughout, noting that Racing Bulls and Alpine were “all very close… behind in terms of pace.” In the final laps, Hulkenberg faced Russell looming in his mirrors, while he also described how his rhythm improved and how indirect tow effects aided speed on the straights.

“And then George at the end was a bit sketchy,” Hulkenberg admitted. “I didn't think at the beginning it would be possible, but then found a better rhythm and closed the gap to Liam and picked up a bit of an indirect tow, which really helps us on the straight to pick up a bit of straight line speed.”

The P8 finish did more than move Hulkenberg up the classification—it also compensated for earlier points heartbreak, as Formula 1’s account noted he had been knocked out of the points at the end of races in both Baku and Sepang. The team framed Singapore as a weekend where experience and race management translated directly into results.

Audi racing director Allan McNish highlighted Hulkenberg’s decision-making during a period when he had to handle sustained pressure. “Today he just showed his width of experience, and also I would say his racing brain, because at the end, 10 laps with George, who was clearly quicker, and to be able to be quick at the right points in the circuit, defend well, but not over defend,” McNish said.

McNish added that the defending approach allowed Hulkenberg to avoid losing too much time and to gradually build the ability to pull away. “And so I think he really played a really good game. And then ultimately was able to actually pull away from George, and start to catch up a wee bit on Lawson.” He also connected the result to a key recovery in the championship context, saying the defence contributed to safeguarding points after two recent races where Audi had lost a point at the end twice.

With the Sprint-to-race progression from P7 to P8, Hulkenberg secured a high-value result for Audi in Singapore—one built on effective early gains, sustained pressure management, and a defence that held when Russell closed in at the finish.

caption: N Nico Hulkenberg scored his season-best round in Singapore, converting P7 in the Sprint into P8 in the race after defending against George Russell late on. #SingaporeGP #F1 #Audi