Audi’s Nico Hülkenberg had an impressive weekend at the 2026 F1 Singapore GP. The German’s weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit was his highest-scoring round of the season thus far as he scored a total of six points across both races. Hülkenberg had two top ten finishes at the 2026 F1 Singapore GP, finishing P8 in the main race and P7 in the Sprint a day prior.
Hülkenberg reflects on 2026 F1 Singapore GP performance
The 39-year-old initially qualified P11 at the 2026 F1 Singapore GP. However, he was able to capitalise on George Russell’s 60-place grid penalty. That meant Hülkenberg started P10 on the starting grid at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Reflecting on his performance at the 2026 F1 Singapore GP, Hülkenberg recounted his strong start upon lights out which allowed him to overtake both Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad, gaining two positions in the opening lap. Those three and Carlos Sainz went side-by-side briefly on the run to Turn 1.
The German also spoke on Audi’s impressive pace as he was able to keep up with Liam Lawson in the Racing Bulls and comfortably beat Pierre Gasly. He followed the New Zealander closely all race, almost undercutting him through the pit cycle.
“Yeah, exactly. I think not just at the start, but I had a good lap one, a good feeling today, an instinct as to where to go. I think inside of Turn 2 and on the exit, I got another position. So yeah, that was nice, and it set us up for a good race, obviously, all very close there, with the Racing Bulls and the Alpines behind in terms of pace.”
On defending P8 from Russell
Another impressive performance from Nico Hülkenberg came in the closing laps of the 2026 F1 Singapore GP, where the German was able to hold of Russell and eventually take the chequred flag in P8.
Hülkenberg then admitted he was not confident he was able to hold off Russell initially as he had to go defensive when the Brit had caught him rapidly on softs versus mediums for the former Haas driver.
“Yeah, and then George [Russell] at the end. It was a bit sketchy. I didn’t think at the beginning it would be possible, but then found a better rhythm, and then closed the gap to Liam [Lawson], and picked up a bit of an indirect tow, which really helped us on the straight to pick up a bit of straight-line speed.”
When asked about his moment over the kerbs in the closing laps, Hülkenberg shared it was: “Yeah, bit of Tony Hawk there. Just testing the limit.”
On avoiding the penalty
Ahead of the 2026 F1 Singapore GP, Nico Hülkenberg was lucky to avoid a grid penalty for impeding Williams’ Carlos Sainz in Q2. The stewards ruled that there was a timing system synchronisation glitch which meant Audi was unable to warn the German in time, hence, there was no further action and he was able to keep his starting position.
The 39-year-old shared his thoughts on the situation, labelling it “peculiar”. Regardless, he is glad he and Audi were able to clear up the situation with the revelant data.
“Yeah, absolutely. But yeah, it was obviously a very peculiar situation, so when I heard that they were considering to give a penalty, we had to go back and make it crystal clear. I think they did the right decision. And that was obviously important for today.”
