Nico Hülkenberg misses out on the points at Monza despite speediest tire change

In the run-up to the Italian Grand Prix, Audi were well aware of the challenge that the “Temple of Speed” would present – the characteristics of the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza simply do not suit the R26.

Starting from 12th place, Nico Hülkenberg opted to begin the race on medium tires. When the race was red-flagged, he switched to the hard compound, which in principle would have allowed him to run until the end.

However, when Lance Stroll triggered a VSC (virtual safety car) on lap 27, Audi took the opportunity to bring Hülkenberg back into the pits. The crew completed the switch from hard to used mediums in 2.44 seconds, securing their fifth DHL Fastest Pit Stop of the season.

“From then on, it was a fairly straightforward race,” said Hülkenberg. “We extracted what we could from the package today, and that’s about where we were this weekend.”

After the race in Monza, Audi announced that they might contest the results of the Italian Grand Prix. The reason? Yuki Tsunoda, who was driving for Racing Bulls in Monza, initially lined up incorrectly on the left while heading to the starting grid, turning right toward his starting box only at the last moment.

Race director Rui Marques subsequently aborted the start and called for an additional formation lap. When a driver triggers an extra formation lap, he is usually required to start from the pit lane, but the race stewards decided against imposing any such penalty.

Tsunoda ultimately finished tenth, while Audi drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg finished directly behind him in 11th and 12th place, outside the points.