Nico Hulkenberg
Belgium never seems to disappoint, does it? Thanks to a first corner shunt that has everyone pointing fingers at one another, and eliminated a few familiar front-runners, it was anyone’s game for the big points scoring positions. Races like these can bring some names to the forefront – step forward Nico Hulkenberg.
Image: Octane Photography
Starting down in 12th place, the German’s natural way was to start on the harder compound tyre. Being the only man in the top 20 to do so, when the crash-bang-wallop unfolded in front of him he would find himself running 2nd in the early stages of the race, on what would prove to be the better tyre. With teammate Paul Di Resta in the mix too, suddenly Force India were contenders.
After the stops he was still in the mix for a podium – scrapping with a faster Mark Webber while also keeping touch with the Kimi-Michael dice ahead – and was driving a car that really shouldn’t be there in terms of pace. The tantalising chance of some champagne was there in front of him.
Fourth place was a great return for a solid afternoon’s work, and with the driver market (for the midfield teams at least) still not completely certain, it was a good result to have. Consider our cap doffed.
TheBrav3
September 2, 2012
It’s a tough call both toro rosso drivers scored their 2nd points finish of the season having recently been firmly in p 16 to 18 caterham watch and learn.
button did 3 laps good enough for pole and led every lap of the race
michael came from 24th to 2nd at one point and put the manners on vettel and raikkonen in brilliant fashion.
and then as you say nico, he and paul got a leg up but whilst nico made it work paul slide ever backwards eventually putting 5 other cars between them.
DMyers
September 4, 2012
Di Resta had no KERS for the entire grand prix, so there was no way he was ever going to be able to keep up.