Between the Lines at the Austrian Grand Prix

The F1’s official FIA Press Conferences are the traditional home of ‘for sure’, ‘the team’s done an amazing job’ and ‘we’re investigating that’, but what lies behind the platitudes? F1i reckons it has the answer…

Thursday 18 June 2015 – Drivers’ Press Conference Austria

Nico Hulkenberg

The Question: First of all, congratulations on winning Le Mans, a great achievement, especially at your first attempt. How was it?

What Nico said: 

NH: Yeah, it was quite amazing obviously. A very intense and long week. I flew from Montreal to Paris and then straight to Le Mans. But yeah, to come there, first attempt, and to win it with my team and my team-mates has just been incredible. You know, very emotional moments and a great experience that I don’t want to miss obviously, so very proud about what we’ve achieved there.

What he might have meant to say: 

NH: It was bloody awesome. Of course there was great satisfaction in winning one of motorsport’s great races, but to be honest I think the greatest satisfaction was in knowing that victory was a massive two fingers up to everyone in Formula One who ever considered me for a drive and then thought ‘hmmm, maybe a bit too tall, or not visible enough, or Hulkenberg? Really?’ Well, now my Le Mans win says to them: “Screw you, screw you all”. In fact, I think I’ll say it again. “I won Le Mans., I was right and you were wrong. So there.”