(Motorsport-Total.com) – At the eleventh race weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Nico Hülkenberg scored his first World Championship points for Audi. “I am especially happy for Nico,” said Audi race director Allan McNish after the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring. “It hasn’t been an easy time recently.”
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Because while Hülkenberg’s Audi teammate Gabriel Bortoleto already scored points at the season opener in Australia and also achieved top-10 results in Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, Hülkenberg always came up empty. (Click here: The Audi milestones in Formula 1)
“Nico had a whole series of races where he was always just close,” explained McNish. “Then there were a few unlucky races – in Spa and also in Silverstone – where he was not at fault at all. Instead, things went well for Gabi there.
This time it was Nico’s day.”
Nico Hülkenberg was not frustrated, but …
The relief was correspondingly great for Hülkenberg, who had recently expressed criticism after the results fell short of expectations. McNish understands this: “Drivers are human, and everyone wants to be successful, everyone wants to perform. And if for some reason that doesn’t happen, then of course something builds up.”
The Audi milestones in Formula 1
McNish does not want to speak of frustration in Hülkenberg. “But it just feels good to finally have a success experience again,” said the former Formula 1 driver.
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The “fire” in Nico Hülkenberg is back
And what a fire: According to McNish, Hülkenberg “literally burned” last weekend in Hungary. “It was nice to see with what fire he was on track – the ‘Hulk’ is back!”
Hülkenberg convinced at the Hungaroring “from the first moment,” said McNish. “He had a good feeling, he delivered, put in a strong qualifying lap and fought back well in Q2 after the problem in turn 1. Overall, it was an outstanding weekend from him.”
A success experience at the right time
That was exactly what Hülkenberg needed. “As a team, we have of course always supported him unconditionally – even after difficult races like Barcelona or Monaco, where he actually deserved points. But it was not meant to be. That is why the Hungary result is simply fair to me,” explained McNish.
“Now the points are finally on his account, and he can go into the summer break with a broad smile.” Audi can also be satisfied: Thanks to Hülkenberg’s points, the Formula 1 newcomer overtook Williams and now ranks eighth in the constructors’ standings.
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