Hulkenberg was certainly one of a number of automobiles to remain out below an early security automobile within the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a method which backfired for McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes man Lewis Hamilton as a needed second security automobile by no means materialised.
Hulkenberg additionally wanted to make a inexperienced flag pitstop, which might have usually dropped him out of factors competition. However behind him, Haas colleague Magnussen crucially handed the RB of Yuki Tsunoda to create a buffer between Hulkenberg and the chasing pack.
Magnussen then lowered his tempo to permit the German to tug a big sufficient hole to pit into with out dropping tenth.
The plan labored to perfection, with Hulkenberg rising from the pits two seconds forward of the Dane and his pissed off chasers.
The purpose was described as “gold mud” by group principal Ayao Komatsu as Haas and its speedy rivals are lagging behind 2024’s high 5 groups.
Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Hulkenberg mentioned he was grateful for Magnussen being a group participant and vowed to return the favour on the subsequent alternative.
“One level, I am clearly glad about that,” Hulkenberg mentioned. “Nice group effort, nice group sport by Kevin.
“I used to be advised that he actually helped my case by holding up the pack behind him, which clearly helped open up the window for me to take the purpose.
“An excellent job from him on that aspect. And thanks, I will return the favour later within the season.”
Hulkenberg mentioned he was unaware on the time that Magnussen was serving to him, and was stunned on the hole he was in a position to confide in the automobiles behind.
“No, no, I did not [know]. I used to be advised that the hole opened up, however I wasn’t conscious why. I simply thought: ‘I’m so good that I fly away from the pack!’,” he laughed.
“For essentially the most half I used to be on my own, simply driving, pushing. There was no tyre saving happening, it was flat out, so fairly bodily. However I loved it.”
On his path to tenth, Hulkenberg briefly locked horns with spectacular Ferrari debutant Oliver Bearman, who ultimately handed the Haas driver on his option to seventh place.
“I believe he did good. Already from FP3 he was fairly on it, attacking,” mentioned Hulkenberg of the 18-year-old.
“I used to be attempting to carry him off for a couple of laps after which as soon as he overtook me too early there and I overtook him again, so simply attempting to get him to make use of his tyre a bit bit.
“However that wasn’t sufficient, they’ve an excessive amount of of a automobile benefit.”
