Hulkenberg set to join Ricciardo on back row

Nico Hulkenberg will join Daniel Ricciardo on the back row of the grid for the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday as his Renault team took a new complete set of power unit elements.

Hulkenberg is set to start in 20th, with his future team mate Ricciardo just ahead of him in 19th.

The reasoning for this is because Ricciardo used his new engine parts before Hulkenberg, giving him the advantage on the grid.

Hulkenberg has already received a 10-place grid penalty for causing the pile0up on the first lap at Spa last week, leading to Renault deciding to take the new parts now, ensuring that the German driver is likely to go the rest of the season penalty-free.

Ricciardo will join Hulkenberg at Renault next season after he announced he would be leaving Red Bull at the end of the season during the summer break.

The two will be able to get to know each other a bit more during the opening exchanges of Sunday’s race.