P7 the best we could do - Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg pretty much accomplished what he set to do in Hockenheim, the Force India finishing the German GP seventh while never racing lower than eighth.

Hulkenberg battled for position with Williams' Valtteri Bottas for most of the afternoon, the pair trading places five times over the course of the race with the German permanently securing seventh with six laps to go. A result Hulkenberg believes was probably the best he could do.

"I think seventh was the maximum we could achieve today," said Hulkenberg.

"I didn't have the greatest of starts, so was behind Valtteri for most of the race. But then we decided to switch strategies and go for three stops, which was obviously pretty good."

Hulkenberg and Force India's results of late have elevated the team to fourth best in terms of performance, while it still stands fifth behind Williams in the constructors standings. The German driver is predicting more fierce battles down the road.

"To be honest I think it's going to be very tight from here until the end of the season between us, Williams, McLaren, and even Toro Rosso sometimes.

"Today we had the better end, but it was also down to us doing a better job with the strategy. I think it's going to be quite an intense battle until the final race but I look forward to that."

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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.