Nico Hulkenberg faced disqualification after an unexpected turn of events in Bahrain linked to plank wear issues.
- The Sauber driver was found to have exceeded the plank wear limits set by the FIA, leading to his removal from the race results.
- Hulkenberg hinted that shifting wind conditions, particularly a headwind, may have contributed to the problem by increasing downforce.
- Despite the setback, Hulkenberg feels that Sauber is not far from competing within the midfield, provided they have flawless performance weekends.
- Hulkenberg’s early success at the Melbourne season opener shows promise, but consistency remains the team’s challenge.
Nico Hulkenberg encountered a setback in Bahrain when he was disqualified due to excessive wear on a plank under his Sauber. While the plank’s thickness fell 0.5mm short of the required 9mm, the FIA recognized this as an unintended error from the team.
The disqualification surprised many, and Hulkenberg explained the unusual wind conditions might have been a significant factor. He noted that the headwind during the race pushed the car down, potentially aggravating the wear. “I think it was a little bit too much wear, it’s as simple as that,” he admitted during a media interaction in Saudi Arabia.
Despite this incident, Hulkenberg remains optimistic about Sauber’s potential. He believes that achieving top ten finishes depends on flawless execution in strategy and race operations. “We need to be perfect, seamless, in every aspect – strategy, pit stops, all the execution bits,” he emphasized.
In the season’s opening race in Melbourne, Hulkenberg achieved a notable P7 finish, marking Sauber’s only points so far in 2025. This shows the team’s potential when conditions align. However, both Hulkenberg and his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto have faced challenges breaking into the top ranks since then.
Hulkenberg noted that while the team isn’t far behind others in the midfield, consistent performance is key. “We’re not far [away], but as everyone, we need to keep pushing. We need to keep finding and adding stuff, because everyone is doing that,” he acknowledged.
Hulkenberg’s plank issue in Bahrain underscores the challenges of F1, with Sauber aiming for perfect execution to remain competitive.
