Pre Race
Bouncing back in Budapest!
It’s time for the second round of Formula 1’s summer double-header, and Nico Hulkenberg – podium finisher and Admin By Request ambassador – is ready to bounce back after a challenging weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, where the Sauber driver finished just outside the top 10.
This weekend, the German ace is aiming for another points-scoring Grand Prix in a season where strong performances have already lifted him to an impressive ninth place in the 20-driver Formula 1 field.
“We’ve been on an encouraging run over the past two months – fighting through the midfield and scoring solid points, even a podium. Now, we head to the Hungaroring for the second leg of the double-header, another classic and a place where I’ve enjoyed racing in the past. Our aim is to finish strong and build on that momentum before the summer break,” said Nico Hulkenberg.
The weekend’s first two practice sessions were completed on Friday, with young driver Paul Aaron taking over Nico’s car in FP1.
“FP2 ran smoothly on my side: it was a clean session with no issues and I felt comfortable in the car right from the start. We were able to complete our programme and collect some valuable data,” Nico added.
FP3 and Qualifying will take place on Saturday, while the 70-lap Hungarian Grand Prix goes green on Sunday at 15:00 local time (CET).
Hungaroring Facts:
- The weather is usually pleasant in Budapest. Hosting its first Formula 1 race in 1986, the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix was the first wet race at the Hungaroring – and saw the retirement of championship contenders Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher.
- The Hungaroring’s tight layout, often likened to a karting circuit, rewards downforce and chassis balance over pure power. With few straights and many flowing corners, rhythm is key to quick lap times.
- The fastest lap during a race dates back to 2020, when Lewis Hamilton clocked a 1:16.627 around the 4.4 km circuit in his Mercedes…
Qualifying
Fightback Mode: ON
Despite showing strong pace in practice, Nico Hulkenberg was knocked out in Q1 at today’s Qualifying in Hungary and will line up P19 for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Not the ideal starting position for the German ace – but ‘The Hulk’ has proven before that he can fight a long way into the points.
“There’s no hiding the fact that today’s result is disappointing, especially considering how strong the car felt throughout the practice sessions. From the first laps yesterday, the balance was encouraging, and even in FP3 this morning I felt confident pushing. But once we got into Q1, the car behaved quite differently – the rear grip just wasn’t there, particularly in the high-speed corners. That shift in balance was something we hadn’t seen all weekend,” said Nico Hulkenberg.
“We now need to dig into the data and understand what changed. The team has made good progress recently, and the feeling in the car has generally been positive, so it’s important we get to the bottom of this and make the right calls for tomorrow.”
Time to give it everything tomorrow, Nico! We’re cheering you on for another strong race when the Hungarian Grand Prix goes green at 15:00 (CET).
Want to follow live? Catch the full race on the official Formula 1 TV app
Race Day
“We’ll recharge and push again”
As the Formula 1 field heads off for a well-deserved summer break, here’s a quick recap from the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring: Starting from P18 after a difficult qualifying session, Nico Hulkenberg faced a challenging race ahead, but the German Formula 1 driver – and Admin By Request ambassador – fought his way through the field to finish 13th.
Meanwhile, teammate Gabriel Bortoletto delivered a strong performance to secure sixth place, lifting the team’s points tally to 51 and placing Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber seventh in the Constructors’ Championship!
“Starting from the back, we knew it would be an uphill battle, especially on a narrow track where traffic management is always tricky. We opted for an aggressive two-stop strategy, which looked promising at times, but in hindsight, the one-stop turned out to be the more effective route for most. Ultimately, my result was shaped by yesterday’s qualifying. We didn’t execute, and that compromised our chances,” said Nico Hulkenberg.
“Still, I’m pleased to see Gabi bringing home a strong eight points for the team, as that is what matters. We’re firmly in the midfield fight now, and that’s a testament to the hard work from everyone trackside and back in Hinwil. We’ll recharge during the summer break and come back ready to push again,” the German added.
Enjoy the summer break, Nico and team! We’re ready to cheer you on when you return to the track for the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on August 31.
📸 Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber
