Nico Hülkenberg started the US Grand Prix in P11, and crossed the line 8th, making it Haas’s highest finish in their home race.
The great result for the American team was possible thanks to the German’s idea of a one-stopper mid-race. He explained the process behind the decision was the dirty air he would be in after the pit stop.
Gasly, Tsunoda and Magnussen all pitted within a lap of each other. That gave the German clean air as they were all ahead in the first stint.
He also explained how the graining on the mediums disappeared, allowing him to deliver great pace and extend to the halfway point of the Grand Prix, overcutting the aforementioned French and Japanese drivers in the process.
“In that moment it didn’t make sense to go and sit behind everyone else in traffic. To be honest, midway through the first stint I was struggling with the tyres. It didn’t feel that great and I didn’t think I could go that long.
“But a couple of laps later the tyre really recovered and I managed to find back a lot of performance. It was quite unexpected, but that’s how it went. I think I showed good pace on that used medium in clean air and made it stick, the one stop.”
“Probably some sort of abrasion. Then the tyre cleans up and comes back a little bit.”
Hülkenberg said that the one-stopper was only a sure thing 22 laps into the race as the two-stopper was the ideal strategy at the start.
Nonetheless, they were aware a one-stop could be possible as the mediums comfortably did 19 laps in the Sprint on Saturday.
“Probably when we passed lap 21, 22.
“I felt how the tyres were in a good state. I was thinking that maybe we have a realistic crack of doing it.
“After yesterday I had a suspicion that it might be possible, because the medium also did last pretty well yesterday and it was a used one for us. That gave already a clue that it may be possible.”
Haas is now in an intense battle for sixth place on the Constructors with RB, moving ahead of them at COTA by 2 points. Hülkenberg talked about maximising the points in this triple header especially as their car suits tracks like these.
He also mentioned how their main rival, RB, is also not backing down as Liam Lawson came through from the back to finish P9.
“They’re not going to go down without a fight.
“You saw now with Liam, I think he was on a good strategy too, but they were quick today as well.
“I think our package is competitive on the next couple of circuits too.
“But you always have to do a good job, you always have to convert it when it matters. That’s the key in the next few weeks.”
As shown with Gasly, Tsunoda and Magnussen who pitted earlier, getting stuck behind cars who have not pitted can be extremely costly to race time.
Clean air from lap 19 onwards was key to Hülkenberg’s P8.
“Yes, it can be quite powerful. If you do it wrong, it can really compromise your race.
“So yes, strategy like always is important, especially with a tight midfield, like you say. If you get stuck in traffic or something, it’s not good.”
