Nico Hulkenberg's Shock F1 Pole Position 15 Years Ago in Brazil

In 2010, amid a heated five-way F1 title fight, rookie Nico Hulkenberg delivered a stunning performance, securing his maiden and only F1 pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Driving for Williams, Hulkenberg expertly navigated drying track conditions in Q3, making the crucial switch to slick tires at the perfect moment to outpace seasoned contenders by over a second.

Why it matters:

Hulkenberg's 2010 Brazilian GP pole remains a legendary 'what if' moment in F1 history, showcasing raw talent that defied his rookie status and the car's typical performance. It highlighted his exceptional car control and ability to thrive in challenging conditions, a characteristic that has defined his long, if often challenging, F1 career, leading to his recent maiden podium after 239 starts.

The details:

• Rookie Struggles to Stardom: Hulkenberg had a tough start to his F1 debut season with Williams, scoring only one point in his first nine races. However, he showed improvement in the latter half, with consistent points finishes in Hungary (sixth) and Italy (seventh).
• Interlagos Qualifying Masterclass: During Q3 at Interlagos, with the track rapidly drying, Hulkenberg's engineer, Tom McCullough, prompted by Rubens Barrichello's feedback, encouraged the switch to slick tires.
  • Hulkenberg, initially hesitant, followed suit after hearing his teammate's decision.
• Dominant Pole Lap: Hulkenberg then delivered a blistering lap, securing pole position by a remarkable 1.049 seconds over Sebastian Vettel.
• Team Insight: Williams co-founder Patrick Head credited Barrichello's track feedback and Hulkenberg's