Renault
©WRI2
Nico Hulkenberg
Championship points: 52 (7th place)
Ahead in qualifying: 7 out of 12
Ahead in the race: 7 out of 12
Best finish: 5th (in one race)
Carlos Sainz
Championship points: 30 (11th place)
Ahead in qualifying: 5 out of 12
Ahead in the race: 5 out of 12
Best finish: 5th (in one race)
Analysis: Hulkenberg narrowly on top
When Carlos Sainz was loaned out by Toro Rosso to Renault, the Spaniard's objective was clear: if he was to stake an unassailable claim to a seat at a top echelon team then he absolutely had to blast Nico Hulkenberg off the map. And he simply hasn't done so. It's not that Sainz been driving badly at all - quite the contrary - only that the more experienced Hulkenberg has been able to use home field advantage to calmly and competently match him and parry each thrust, giving the German a slight edge across the board so far. It's a boost for Hulkenberg who will have to do the same next year with the even more dangerous Daniel Ricciardo, but for Sainz it's a setback that may have long-term career repercussions.
