Flawless drive gives Hulkenberg best ever result with Renault

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Nico Hulkenberg produced a solid drive in front of his home crowd at Hockenheim to achieve a fifth place finish - his best ever result with Renault.

Despite the potential pitfalls that were put in everyone's way, Hulkenberg never put a foot wrong amid the dry-to-wet-to-dry conditions that prevailed in the second half of the eventful race.

"Yeah, very happy. First half, obviously, was standard, a little bit boring race but then once the rain hit us, it unfolded nicely," explained the Renault driver.

“It was getting pretty tricky out there, trying to keep it on the road but that is where we made some gains. I am very happy with the outcome.

"It’s good points for the team, our joint best finish of the season and my best finish with Renault."

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As far as Hulkenberg was concerned, he would have relished even more challenging track conditions around the Hockenheimring, as if the day's task of navigating the changes hadn't been complicated enough!

"More crazy conditions would have been nice, but we’ll take that," he added.

"Yeah it is dynamic. It reminded me a lot of Brazil 2012 where it was a similar thing where you were sort of, ‘yeah I am pitting, no wait I am staying out’.

"We made the right decisions and that is why we deserved the P5 today. We’ve been working hard for it, so it’s a nice reward for the team. We did a good job today."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.