Hulkenberg: "Q3 was definitely possible"

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16:05, 16 Mar 2019

byJake Williams-Smith

Nico Hulkenberg believes that Renault should have made it into Q3 in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. Hulkenberg, along with new teammate and home favourite Daniel Ricciardo, was knocked out in Q2 in disappointing fashion.

Although he out-qualified his new teammate who many believe will beat the German over the season, Hulkenberg admitted it was a disappointing start to the year to not make it into the top ten shootout.

“Making Q3 was definitely possible today," he explained to media after the session.

"It’s unfortunate that we had a small problem, which cost us a shot at the top 10. I lost a bit of time on my first lap in Q2 through traffic and a lock-up, but we showed the pace was there for a strong result.

"We’re competitive. We know it’s close and small margins make a big difference. We’re not in bad shape ahead of tomorrow and a strong race from eleventh on the grid is possible. The car felt good with long-run pace on Friday and I’ve felt comfortable in the car all weekend.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	51
2	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	47
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	34
4	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	33
5	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	17
6	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	15
7	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	9
8	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	8
9	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	8
10	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	4
11	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	4
12	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	3
13	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	2
14	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
15	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	1
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	0
17	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
18	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Hulkenberg: "Q3 was definitely possible"

byJake Williams-Smith

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