Autosportfoto

Hulkenberg secures P6 for Renault in F1 standings despite penalty

Renault beats Toro Rosso to P6 on the final day of the F1 season thanks to Hulkenberg's charge in Abu Dhabi.

Renault beat Toro Rosso in the race to sixth in the Formula 1 constructors' championship on the final day of the season after Nico Hulkenberg charged to P6 in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix despite an early penalty.

Toro Rosso led Renault by four points heading into the final race of the year, with Haas sitting a further two points back to set up a three-way fight for the added prize money coming with P6 in the final standings.

Hulkenberg was hit with a five-second time penalty for passing Sergio Perez off-track on the opening lap, putting the result at risk, but was able to gap the Force India driver through the opening stint so he could retain position after serving the sanction during his pit stop.

Hulkenberg ultimately took sixth place at the chequered flag for Renault, scoring eight points to lift Renault up to P6 in the final constructors' standings after both Toro Rosso and Haas failed to score.

"I knew that I had the five second gap over Checo. I made sure in the first stint that I had that," Hulkenberg said.

"When I started to realise the pit stop was a bit longer and that I had some trouble on the rear-right, I was starting to get a bit nervous and starting to sweat. When you go down and out of the pit lane out of that tunnel, there is very little grip. It's just a balancing act. That was a bit of a thriller.

"It was a very interesting first lap, very interesting couple of laps after the stop when I had to get by the Haas which is super-fast on the straight. And obviously I had Checo right behind me waiting to take advantage.

"But we managed to come out on top. Very decent end to the season, decent final result. That sixth position in the constructors, it's not amazing but it's good for us.

"It's good to have that in our pocket now. I'm sure everyone is pleased and happy about that."

Zdroj: crash.net