Nico Hulkenberg believes it was a disappointing qualifying session for him after finishing twelfth for the European Grand Prix.
The Sahara Force India driver was having a relative good weekend at the Baku City Circuit until he span the VJM09 at Turn 16 in qualifying. After returning to the track, Hulkenberg was unable to get a good enough lap in to make it through to Q3, and was forced to settle for twelfth for the Silverstone based outfit behind the Haas F1 of Romain Grosjean.
Even with these problems, the German is determined to make up the lost ground in the Grand Prix on Sunday.
“A very disappointing qualifying session for me,” said Hulkenberg. “The car has been quick this weekend, but starting from P12 means we’ve got a big job on our hands tomorrow.
“The main problem in Q2 was spinning on my first run because I was on a mega lap that would have easily put me through to Q3. I just lost the rear at turn 16 and spun. Because I had not set a time yet, it meant I was under pressure and it all came down to the final few minutes.
“Unfortunately I had some traffic on my second run and I just didn’t feel the same grip with the car – and that’s how quickly things can slip away from you. It’s very frustrating and annoying because the car has good potential and we should have been much higher up. So it’s a bitter feeling, to be honest, but I’m determined to make up the lost ground tomorrow.”
