Hulkenberg pinpoints where Hungarian GP got away from him as he takes positives from first half of season

Nico Hulkenberg has admitted that his P19 Qualifying result was the “start of the end” for his hopes at the Hungaroring, with the German unable to pull off another rise to the points around the tight, twisty venue.

Hulkenberg has made a habit of charging through the field this season, going from 17th to seventh in a rain-hit Australian Grand Prix, from 15th to fifth in Spain, from 20th to ninth in Austria and, most memorably, from 19th to a maiden F1 podium in Britain.

However, Hulkenberg’s back-of-the-grid start in Hungary proved to be a more frustrating affair – the Kick Sauber racer spending most of his two-stop race stuck in traffic, given the lack of overtaking opportunities.

“It was always going to be difficult from the back,” Hulkenberg reflected after the race, which team mate Gabriel Bortoleto – who starred to reach Q3 – finished in sixth position. “We know in traffic it’s a bit difficult here.

“I think the one-stop worked quite well for many people, so the two-stop naturally wasn’t even the faster one. A two-stop, plus a lot of traffic, means a very difficult race. No yield today, but I’m happy that Gabi was there to pick up the points.

“It all goes back to [Saturday], having a poor quali. Starting from the back is obviously the start of the end, a little bit.”

Despite not adding any more points to his tally last time out, Hulkenberg is taking plenty of confidence from Sauber’s general upward trend in recent races as the F1 paddock heads into the summer break.

“The mindset is positive,” he commented. “We’ve demonstrated that we’ve come a long way in terms of car performance.

“Since Barcelona, we’re really a serious midfield contender and able to [score] points. I think it’s the sixth consecutive time now since Barcelona, so I think that says it all.

“I’m happy and proud about that, and we just need to keep working away.”

Kick Sauber hold seventh position in the Teams’ Championship after 14 of 24 Grands Prix, one point behind sixth-placed Aston Martin and six clear of eighth-placed Racing Bulls.