Because the minutes ticked down within the first qualifying phase on the British Grand Prix, 19 of the 20 drivers wound their means round historic Silverstone circuit in moist situations, counting on the inexperienced intermediate tires.
Nico Hülkenberg was that twentieth driver, who remained within the storage ready for the observe to dry out, and the correct second to hitch the battle.
Hülkenberg needed to wait by a purple flag, introduced out by Sergio Pérez. The Purple Bull driver was one of many first to change to the slicks, with simply over seven minutes remaining within the session, however shortly paid a steep worth. Pérez slid into the gravel and couldn’t get shifting once more, ending his session early.
Finally, Hülkenberg had only one shot at a flying lap and he made it stick, doing simply sufficient to get into Q2.
However when the mud settled and the checkered flag flew on the finish of Q3 Hülkenberg was up in sixth on the timing sheets, and he’ll begin on the third row in Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
That stands as not simply the most effective qualifying outcome for Hülkenberg this season, however for the crew as nicely.
Nonetheless, the method taken by Haas made for some nervy moments for each the motive force and the crew.
“I managed to take the momentum from final race into this week, plus I believe the updates we delivered to the automotive yesterday actually had an impression and I felt a acquire with them straightaway,” mentioned Hülkenberg within the crew’s post-qualifying report. “That’s excellent news and it’s not all the time the case, so a giant nicely executed to the crew. Quali was good; Q1 was a bit too shut for consolation with just one lap.
“With the purple flag, we obtained a bit of out of sync and possibly it was a bit sketchy, however in any other case it was an excellent, clear session. I really feel good confidence within the automotive which suggests I can produce the laps, even when it’s only one.”
Staff Principal Ayao Komatsu hailed an “superb” outcome for the crew, however outlined how Haas must evaluate their “difficult” method.
“It’s been a fairly eventful day with fairly difficult situations, however in FP3 I believe we made progress studying about automotive habits on the intermediates. In Q1 we determined to not run on the inters as a result of we anticipated it to be dry, in order that’s what we did,” described Komatsu. “It was very difficult, we have to evaluate what we did and the way we are able to do it higher as a result of we simply obtained by with Nico. Kevin didn’t get by Q1 as a result of he went off however with Nico, we didn’t give ourselves sufficient margin, in order that’s one thing we have to enhance.”
Komatsu outlined the way it may have been even higher for Hülkenberg.
“Shifting into dry situations with Nico, what a improbable outcome with P6, and that might’ve been higher. He made a mistake on his flying lap in one of many corners so it’s actually pleasing with all of the onerous work from the crew getting this improve on and it paying off nicely,” added the Haas boss. “It’s a superb place to begin tomorrow, so we’ll see what we are able to do, however for now, I’m comfortable for the crew – superb work from everybody.”
Whereas Kevin Magnussen didn’t advance out of Q1 and can begin behind the sector, Hülkenberg’s beginning place offers Haas an amazing probability to deliver dwelling strong factors on Sunday. The crew enters the British Grand Prix sitting seventh within the Method 1 Constructors’ standings, 11 factors behind Visa Money App RB F1 Staff.
However with each Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda beginning outdoors the factors — and behind Hülkenberg — Haas is in place to chop into that lead Sunday.
Regardless of a “sketcky” Saturday.
