02/06/2025 17:55
Nico Hulkenberg has explained how a set of "new boots" was key in
his shock overtake on Lewis Hamilton in the Spanish Grand Prix as
he finished fifth. Hulkenberg was eliminated in Q1 in Barcelona,
and after Lance Stroll's withdrawal, started 15th, and was inside
the top 10 after a strong opening lap. Flirting on the edge of the
points for the whole race, the German was able to use the bounty of
fresh tyres he saved by falling in Q1, to maintain his position,
with a brand-new set of soft tyres being bolted on for the run to
the flag after the late safety car. During this charge, Hulkenberg
passed the works Ferrari of Hamilton for sixth on the road, which
became fifth after Max Verstappen's penalty. On a weekend it
brought major upgrades, it is the best-ever result for Stake, the
best for the Hinwil team since Valtteri Bottas's fifth-place in the
2022 Emilia Romagna GP when it was Alfa Romeo, and the best for
Hulkenberg since a fifth for Renault at the 2019 Italian GP.
Reflecting, the German felt the number of fresh, new tyres he had
was key to overtaking Hamilton. "It was a great race, and one of
those where everything seems to click and work out, it was
beautiful," Hulkenberg told media, including RacingNews365. "It
doesn't happen that often, unfortunately, but it did, and having
all these new tyres being out in Q1 was actually really useful and
helpful. "On the other hand, from P15 to have the start on lap one
put us in a good position for a good result, and then the late
safety car and having another set of softs helped us, so we will
take it but it shows that bringing upgrades and performances, you
can help yourself. "We can only dream of P5 in normal
circumstances. "Hamilton only had softs left, and even though he is
in a Ferrari, with how powerful new tyres are, he was just sliding
around a lot. "I had new boots which made all the difference."
