Latest news with #Sauber
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
F1 star overshadowed by Max Verstappen did something not seen in six years
The controversy created by Max Verstappen when he slammed into George Russell late in the Spanish Grand Prix overshadowed an extraordinary achievement by Nico Hulkenberg Max Verstappen was named Driver of the Day by Formula 1 fans at the Spanish Grand Prix – though the outcome of that poll may have been very different if only the votes cast after the Dutchman slammed into George Russell, seemingly on purpose, counted. And, in any case, the final classification makes it clear that one driver's extraordinary performance and result was unfairly overlooked. Because in fifth place – nosebleed territory for a Sauber team which has struggled to make an impression in recent years – was Nico Hulkenberg. He finished sixth on the road but, because Verstappen dropped down to 10th because of a penalty for his moment of madness, was promoted to fifth place. The last time the German finished a race that high, the year was 2019 and he was driving for Renault at the Italian Grand Prix. It was also a landmark moment for the team, who haven't had anyone finish that high in a race since the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, when Valtteri Bottas managed it. The 10 points Hulkenberg scored on Sunday lifted Sauber off the foot of the constructors' standings to eighth place, level with Aston Martin. And Hulkenberg managed it despite an unspectacular qualifying result which meant he started 15th on the grid. But he got off to a stunning start by rising five positions on the opening lap, which put him in points contention. He had been one of a few drivers who saved an extra set of soft compound tyres for the race, compromising his qualifying efforts as a result. But the gamble paid off as a late safety car gave him the opportunity to put on a new set of softs for the six-lap sprint to the chequered flag. READ MORE: Max Verstappen is extraordinary and infuriating in equal measure – we've seen this before Hulkenberg said: "It was one of those Sundays where everything came together really well. Right from the beginning, we were in the mix – a strong start, a clean first lap, and we were immediately able to fight for points. "Ironically, not having the best Saturday and saving a set of softs gave us a strategic edge with the tyre allocation. The safety car mixed things up a bit, and having those fresh compounds turned out to be a golden ticket. There was a significant delta between used and new tyres today, so that really paid off." Rookie team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto did not score points but looked strong, qualifying 12th in an upgraded Sauber C45. The team introduced a raft of upgrades in Barcelona which, based on the evidence they collected during the race, look to have given them a more competitive race car. Hulkenberg added: "The car felt good all weekend, and the updates clearly gave us a step forward in performance. We had strong pace throughout the race. Credits to the whole team, both at the factory and trackside, for the hard work on the upgrades."
TimesLIVE
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Sauber's season turns a corner with Hulkenberg's top-five drive
Nico Hulkenberg lifted Sauber off the bottom of the Formula One standings with a fifth place at the Spanish Grand Prix for the future Audi team. Sunday's result, in a car with upgrades, was Swiss-based Sauber's best in three years and they left the Circuit de Catalunya eighth overall and ahead of Aston Martin and Renault-owned Alpine. They had not scored points since Hulkenberg was seventh in the Australian season-opener in March. "It was one of those Sundays where everything came together well," said Hulkenberg, who passed Ferrari's seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton for fifth. "Right from the beginning, we were in the mix. A strong start, a clean first lap and we were immediately able to fight for points. "Ironically, not having the best Saturday and saving a set of softs gave us a strategic edge with the tyre allocation. The safety car mixed things up a bit, and having the fresh compounds turned out to be a golden ticket." Hulkenberg has scored all of Sauber's points this season with Brazilian rookie teammate Gabriel Bortoleto, who finished 12th, yet to open his account in nine starts. Sauber, who become the Audi factory team next year, are level on 16 points with Aston Martin but ahead on placings. Alpine are last and five further adrift.
Qatar Tribune
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
The worst race I have experienced: Hamilton bemoans Spain performance
A demoralized Lewis Hamilton described his latest Ferrari horror show at Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix as one of the worst races he has ever experienced. Hamilton was ordered by Ferrari to move aside for team-mate Charles Leclerc on lap 10 and was then passed by Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg in the closing laps. Hamilton finished seventh but moved up one place to sixth in the final classification following Max Verstappen's sanction. Leclerc took the chequered flag in third to land his third podium of the season, but Hamilton is yet to take a top-three finish in nine Ferrari starts. He is 23 points behind Leclerc, and 115 adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri. 'I have no idea why it was so bad,' said 40-year-old Hamilton. 'That was the worst race I have experienced, balance-wise.' Quizzed as to whether he could take any positives from Sunday's performance, the seven-time world champion replied: 'Zero.' And then asked where he goes from here, Hamilton answered: 'Home.' Hamilton added: 'The team did a great job and that is all I can say. (PA Media/DPA)
San Francisco Chronicle
16 hours ago
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
Hamilton passed by Leclerc and Hulkenberg in another low point since joining Ferrari
MONTMELO, Spain (AP) — Lewis Hamilton's frustrating debut season with Ferrari hit a new low point during the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday. A sixth-placed finish wasn't bad, even for a seven-time world champion. But Hamilton again finished behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who was third, and had to endure his team telling him to get out the way for Leclerc. Worse was to come near the end, however, when Nico Hulkenberg overtook Hamilton in his Sauber. Hamilton said his car was unbalanced. 'I have no idea why it was so bad,' Hamilton said. 'That was the worst race I have experienced, balance-wise.' The only bright spot for Hamilton since he left Mercedes for Ferrari this season was his sprint win in China. That, however, was followed by a double disqualification for him and Leclerc in the Grand Prix the next day. His best race finish this season was fourth in Imola. ___
New York Times
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
Full results
Piastri's lead over McLaren teammate Lando Norris in the drivers' championship standings has grown to 10 points Getty Images Getty Images Oscar Piastri Lando Norris Charles Leclerc George Russell Nico Hulkenberg Lewis Hamilton Isack Hadjar Pierre Gasly Fernando Alonso Max Verstappen Liam Lawson Gabriel Bortoleto Yuki Tsunoda Carlos Sainz Franco Colapinto Esteban Ocon Oliver Bearman Did not finish: Kimi Antonelli, Alexander Albon Did not start: Lance Stroll Getty Images Thanks to overtaking Lewis Hamilton in the closing laps and to Max Verstappen's penalty, Nico Hulkenberg has finished P5. What a result for him and Sauber! It's his best result since a P5 at Monza in 2019 with Renault. Max Verstappen is given a 10-second penalty for that crazy collision with George Russell, dropping him from P5 to P10. That's a huge blow to his championship defense! A fantastic performance start to finish by Oscar Piastri, who grows his championship lead over his teammate from three points to 10. Lando Norris follows him in P2 and Charles Leclerc completes the podium in P3. Lap 66/66 As we being the final lap Piastri's lead over Norris is more than two seconds, he's going to win this race! Meanwhile, Alonso climbs into P10 and is set to take his first point of the season at his home race. Lap 64/66 Verstappen comes over the radio to say that Leclerc has to give him the position, which Nico Rosberg calls "rubbish" on the Sky Sports broadcast. Verstappen is then told by his engineer that he has to give P4 to Russell following their collision. He angrily responds that he shouldn't have to, and he has a point. But then! He appears to give Russell the position, before seemingly changing his mind and driving straight into Russell! What chaos! Meanwhile, Hamilton is passed by Hulkenberg for P6! Lap 63/66 Piastri leads his teammate by 1.4 seconds. Replays show that Verstappen had a massive snap coming off the final corner before the straight as the race restarted. Any contact between him and Leclerc came after the Ferrari driver had overtaken him, nothing to worry about there for Leclerc. Following that, Russell banged tires with Verstappen, forcing the Dutchman to take to the escape road. Mercedes reported that it was a power unit issue for Antonelli, after the rookie driver experienced "a loss of oil pressure." Lap 61/66 Piastri runs down the road and successfully holds off Norris! Meanwhile, Verstappen on his hard tires is immediately overtaken by Leclerc! He complains over the radio that Leclerc rammed him down the straight. Lap 60/66 The safety car is coming in at the end of this lap. Here we go! Lap 60/66 What an opportunity this is for Norris. He had reduced Piastri's lead to approximately 3.5 seconds prior to the safety car, but it was hard to imagine him both catching and overtaking his teammate in the remaining laps. Now, he'll be right behind him as we restart the race. The backmarkers have been let by, we should be resuming action shortly! Lap 58/66 We're still driving behind the full safety car. Sky Sports reports that this is the latest safety car in the history of this race. What a conclusion we're set for here! Piastri Norris Verstappen Leclerc Russell Hamilton Hadjar Hulkenberg Gasly Lawson Ocon Bortoleto Alonso Bearman Tsunoda Sainz Colapinto Out: Antonelli, Albon Did not start: Stroll Verstappen being forced to take a hard tire is a consequence of this aggressive strategy run by Red Bull, using up the medium and soft sets available. Verstappen could have stayed out, but he'd have struggled on worn tires against the McLarens on the softs. Lap 56/66 The leaders all pit under the safety car. McLaren do really well to double stack and maintain Norris' lead over Verstappen. Verstappen is switched to a set of hard tires, which perplexes him. He comes over the radio to ask why that was the choice taken, "Why the f— are we... what is this tire? Why are we on a hard?" He's told that was the only option. The Athletic Lap 55/66 Well now! This is really going to introduce some chaos now! Antonelli is forced to stop and shut his car down, prompting a full safety car. We're set for a thrilling conclusion! Lap 55/66 As we approach the closing laps, Piastri leads Norris by 3.5 seconds, and he in turn leads Verstappen by 2.5 seconds. Verstappen really not happy on the radio there about the traffic! This is going to be what stymies the leaders in the closing stages. With such close margins, it could be decisive if one of them hits traffic at the wrong point. Lap 52/66 Norris and Verstappen approach backmarkers just as Bearman and Lawson are having a battle. They both lose out on time as the drivers further down the order get in their way. Verstappen waves his hand at Bearman in frustration before coming over the radio to call them "F---ing idiots!" Lap 51/66 We should be done with pit stops now. Piastri Norris Verstappen Leclerc Russell Hamilton Antonelli Hadjar Hulkenberg Gasly Bearman Lawson Alonso Sainz Tsunoda Ocon Bortoleto Colapinto Out: Albon
