Nico Hulkenberg (P8, 4 pts): 7.5/10
Perhaps knocked off his stride by the news that Renault had decided to let him go at the end of the season, Nico Hulkenberg lagged Daniel Ricciardo throughout practice. Even so, both drivers made it through to the final round of qualifying - an impressive achievement for the squad. However engine penalties demoted them both back down the grid again with Hulkenberg having to line up in 12th place, which meant he had to take avoiding action from the mayhem at La Source on turn 1 that cost him two places. The first driver to make a scheduled pit stop on lap 11, it looked like a massive mistake when he dropped to the back of the field. However by the time he made his second stop of the day, he was back where he'd started so that when the fresh set of soft tyres kicked in he made rapid progress in the final half dozen laps. Passes on Grosjean, Ricciardo and Gasly moved him forward and he picking up two extra spots with the late retirements of Giovinazzi and Norris to surprise himself with a welcome points finish. It's a convincing advert for his talents to attract any prospective 2020 employers.
