Nico Hulkenberg: That was a lot of fun

Nico Hulkenberg has explained how the Brazilian Grand Prix was a lot of fun for the German driver, despite the tricky track conditions and his eventual collision with race leader Lewis Hamilton. The Force India driver managed to finish the race in 5th, after incurring a drive-thru penalty due to this collision with Hamilton.

At the start Nico Hulkenberg scythed through the field like a hot knife through butter, eventually rising to 3rd position as the rain began to intensify. As Lewis Hamilton pitted for intermediates, the German driver rose steadily up to 2nd position and eventually took the lead after a sensational overtaking maneuver on Jenson Button. As the race progressed, Hulkenberg lost his lead to the McLaren of Lewis Hamilton after a minor spin, with the Briton’s eyes firmly set on victory in his final race for the Woking-based outfit.

However, such glory was not to be for either driver, as Nico Hulkenberg tried desperately to retake the lead into Turn 1 as the pair lapped several back-markers. This ended in tears, as Hulkenberg lost control of his Force India and collided with Lewis Hamilton, ending the Briton’s race. Nico Hulkenberg was able to continue racing, albeit after being issued with a drive-thru penalty for allegedly causing the incident.

“That was a lot of fun - very entertaining and there was so much happening all the time!” Enthused Nico Hulkenberg after the race, “We had a great chance to finish on the podium today, but it slipped away, which is a shame. I made a small mistake [whilst in the lead] and Lewis got ahead of me. I managed to stay with him and was fighting to get the lead back when we touched.

“It’s hard to say what happened but I was making a move going into Turn One and had a slightly loose rear. I was about to turn in and suddenly there was contact. It’s a shame for both of us because we were having a great battle. I managed to keep going but I had lost a lot of time. Fifth place is still a super result to end the season and I think the team did an excellent job this weekend. I hope they enjoyed the race – it’s a nice leaving present in my last race.”

Lewis Hamilton was understandably unhappy with the incident, which effectively ruined his chances of securing a farewell victory for himself and McLaren, with the Briton moving to Mercedes next season. Initially Nico Hulkenberg did not apologize for their coming together, however the German eventually visited the Briton and apologized for causing his retirement.

"It was a little bit unfortunate.” Explained a saddened Lewis Hamilton after the race, “That’s what happens when you race with the less experienced. I feel OK, and I feel happy for the team to get the win.”

Both drivers now move on to pastures new for the 2013 season, as Lewis Hamilton moves to Mercedes and Nico Hulkenberg moves to Sauber. Both drivers were GP2 Champions before their respective careers in Formula 1, and will both unarguably battle once again for supremacy at the sharp end of the order during a race weekend. With both Mercedes and Sauber pretty much level during the later half of the year, Hamilton could well find himself battling against Hulkenberg throughout 2013.

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