Nico Hulkenberg crashes out of Qatar GP causing safety car as McLaren strategy comes under fire
Nico Hulkenberg is out of the Qatar Grand Prix
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg has crashed out of the Qatar Grand Prix after a collision with Alpine's Pierre Gasly on the seventh lap.
As the German driver attempted to pass Gasly around the outside at Turn 2, the pair made contact, sending Hulkenberg spinning through the gravel before he came to a stop.
Hulkenberg had started the race from 11th position on the grid and was running in 10th at the time of the crash. While speaking to the media following qualifying, the Sauber driver didn't expect many overtakes during the race due to the lack of opportunities at the Losail International Circuit.
"No, I think it will make it very static," he said. "We saw this morning, no tyre deg, very little racing action. The cornering speeds are a bit too fast. I mean, it's really fun to drive in quali and, you know, very exciting, high speed, high G-forces, but it's not the most, you know, racing-friendly circuit, let's say."
With the safety car deployed, race leader Oscar Piastri and his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris stayed out but Max Verstappen, who was running in second at the time, decided to pit along with the remaining drivers.
"This has worked out horribly for McLaren. Those behind have pitted and they have not," former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle said. He later added: "Stay tuned to this race, everybody. It feels to me as though McLaren have missed a trick!"
Drivers are limited to a maximum of 25 laps on a set of tyres during the Qatar Grand Prix.
"We should have just followed him in, no? If we knew the car ahead was staying out," Norris asked his race engineer Will Joseph, who explained: "They have lost all flexibility for the remainder of the race."
One reason why the Woking outfit may have decided not to pit either Piastri or Norris could be to avoid disadvantaging one over the other. A double stack would have put Norris at a disadvantage and pulling in one and not the other would have been a clear differentiation in strategy.
Photos from Qatar GP - Race
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Qatar GP - Sunday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
Ralf Schumacher pays tribute to brother Michael and his lasting Ferrari F1 legacy
F1 announces plans for huge 2027 season launch in Milan
Former F1 driver warns McLaren is becoming "hard to stop" as Lando Norris fights for 2026 title
Nico Rosberg praises Nico Hulkenberg's "spectacular" Dutch GP save
How Nico Hulkenberg avoided a massive shunt with Audi team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto
Why some F1 team bosses think drivers shouldn't have a say in the rules
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
"He is full of sh*t": Pato O’Ward blasts departing Arrow McLaren teammate Christian Lundgaard
Ferrari leads WEC Austin FP1 with Antonio Giovinazzi ahead of Antonio Fuoco
"We clearly have an issue" – Red Bull responds to Max Verstappen's radio complaints
F1 Italian GP: Saturday schedule, weather forecast and how to watch
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Italian GP
What we learned from the Monaco GP Court of Appeal hearing
Kimi Antonelli’s Italian GP grid penalty could be a blessing in disguise
Why Lewis Hamilton shouldn't regret his Ferrari radio rant – but why he was right to apologise
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments