Renault Sport Formula 1 Team driver Nico Hulkenberg was extremely disappointed to retire from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend, after clipping the barrier and damaging his front suspension, following a safety car re-start on lap 25.
The German had been sat in fifth place, a position he would likely have retained, if not bettered, had he remained in the race, but the Renault man got a little too close to the wall as he navigated Turn 7, and the damage sustained was beyond repair.
Hulkenberg was frustrated with himself for making the error, but admitted that the close racing you get at a street circuit, always ups the risk factor.
“It’s always a balance on a street course of getting as close as possible to the barriers but not too close. Unfortunately, I just clipped my front right and that was it for the suspension.
“It’s frustrating for me and all the team. Until then the race had been pretty engaging and it looked like we were in a position to continue our series of points scoring races.
“It was pretty tough on the restarts with the tyre temperature and I think everyone at home saw an eventful race.”
The German is now focused on the next round of the 2017 Formula 1 season in Austria, where the 29-year-old intends to get back to points scoring ways, having finished in the top ten at four out of the five races prior to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“Next up Austria; let’s hope for better things there.”
