Both cars in the points again for Williams
Nico Hulkenberg claimed a career-best sixth place Formula One finish in today’s Hungarian GP, driving a mature and controlled race amid an incident-filled afternoon. Despite a team mechanic being slightly injured in the pits, the team is happy with another double points finish.
A Safety Car on lap 15 saw 13 cars enter the pitlane simultaneously and in one of the ensuing incidents, a loose wheel from another car knocked down Nigel Hope, a member of the AT&T Williams pitcrew. Despite sustaining some injuries, he returned to resume duties on the pitcrew for the second tyre stop of the afternoon, following a precautionary visit to the medical centre.
Having started on the prime tyre, the early Safety Car effectively neutralised Rubens’ race plan and he was forced to run a long first stint, but in a courageous move on new options tyres, he claimed P10 for the last point of the day.
Nico Hulkenberg, FW32-01 / CA104:
I am very happy with today’s outcome. It was a great effort from the team and the factory. We were in the right place to take advantage of the Safety Car, but even so, the car had good pace today and I didn’t make any mistakes. It was good to collect decent points and have the luck running with us. The result is a good way to go into the break and sets up the second half of the season well for me and the team.
Rubens Barrichello, FW32-04 / CA106:
We had a car that in terms of performance was capable of finishing P5 or thereabouts, but taking the chance to start on primes always left us liable to a Safety Car. It came too early to box for the option tyre, so I had to stay out until we found a window that would allow me to attack for points. I had to work pretty hard for the point in a fight that wasn’t fair or clean, but I will let others be the judge of that. All I am clear about is that I am a racer and in such situations, I never back off.
Patrick Head, Director of Engineering:
Today was a good result for the team. I am pleased that Nico had a strong race and Rubens showed that he has a passion for racing that has characterised his career. Rubens also set the third fastest lap of the race.
