Hülkenberg considers his penalty unjustified

Nico Hulkenberg retired at the Singapore GP while battling for points after clashing with Felipe Massa coming out of the pits. If the pilot Williams was able to continue its race, the Force India stayed put. However, the stewards imposed a penalty of three places on the grid of the Japanese GP played next week in Suzuka to the winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“This accident with Felipe is very regrettable and I do not understand why I received a penalty before having been able to discuss the incident with the stewards”, regrets Nico Hülkenberg. “I saw Felipe coming out of the pits when I entered the first corner, but I was in front of him on the third and I followed my trajectory. I felt contact at the left rear and my race was over. »

For his part, Felipe Massa assures that he was within his rights. “I braked on the inside coming out of the pits, he braked on the outside and he turned as if I wasn't there and that's when the contact took place”, assured the Williams driver. “He could have had better traction and passed me at the next corner if he had given me space. It was his fault, that's for sure. »

Discover the analysis of the Singapore Grand Prix carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2030 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.