Hulkenberg had 'flashback' of Brazil 2010 in quali

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Nico Hulkenberg says Saturday’s wet-to-dry qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, reminded him of the 2010 Brazilian GP where the Force India ace, then driving for Williams, had grabbed pole position.

The German was the first driver to gamble on slicks on a drying track in Q3 and held provisional pole several times before he had to settle for the third quickest time behind the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

However, Hulkenberg gets promoted to the front row since the current F1 points leader has to serve a five-place grid penalty for using a new gearbox following his FP3 crash.

“Actually, it reminded me a lot of Brazil,” Hulkenberg said. “I was feeling really good in the car. And it was just a flashback to back then... To be honest I was expecting a little bit better.

“When I heard third, I was not disappointed but… great effort from the team. That was not an easy session to be out there on the right time.

“Obviously, it’s all about timings. The car performed well. We put it together. It was a very solid job and a very good starting position on Sunday.”

The only caveat to Hulkenberg lining up on the front row is that the former Le Mans winner is under investigation for improving under yellow flags at the end of Q1.

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Julien Billiotte