Nico Hülkenberg — 2016 season

Nico Hülkenberg's 2016 Formula 1 season with Force India was a campaign of consistent points scoring, punctuated by near-misses and a strong mid-to-late season performance that solidified the team's standing, despite being overshadowed by his teammate.

Going in

Heading into 2016, Hülkenberg was in his third consecutive year with Force India, a team that had established itself as a formidable midfield competitor in the V6 turbo-hybrid era. The expectation was for Hülkenberg, a driver known for his qualifying prowess and race craft, to consistently challenge for points and potentially break his podium duck. The team's VJM09 chassis, powered by Mercedes, showed promise, but the competitive landscape meant maximizing every opportunity would be crucial for both drivers, Hülkenberg and Sergio Pérez.

How it played out

The season began with a solid P7 finish at the Australian Grand Prix, securing 6 points. However, the initial phase proved challenging, with two P15 finishes in Bahrain and China, followed by consecutive DNFs in Russia (collision) and Spain (oil leak). This early slump meant Hülkenberg had only 6 points after five rounds. The turning point arrived at Monaco, where he converted a P5 grid slot into a P6 finish, adding 8 points. This was followed by further points in Canada (P8) and the inaugural European Grand Prix in Baku (P9).

A notable high point, though ultimately unrewarded, was Hülkenberg's P2 start at the Austrian Grand Prix, his best career qualifying position. Unfortunately, a brake issue led to his retirement from the race. Post-summer break, Hülkenberg found a rhythm, delivering a string of strong results. His best finish of the year came at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he secured 4th place, earning 12 points. He then consistently finished within the points, including P7s in Germany, Mexico, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi, and P8s in Malaysia and Japan. This late-season consistency was vital for Force India's constructors' championship aspirations.

Despite his efforts, Hülkenberg was outscored by his teammate Sergio Pérez, who amassed 101 points and two podiums, finishing 7th in the Drivers' Championship, compared to Hülkenberg's 9th place with 72 points. This internal battle highlighted the fine margins in midfield competition.

Defining moments

The Austrian Grand Prix stands out for Hülkenberg's exceptional qualifying performance, placing his Force India VJM09 on the front row. While the race ended in retirement, it underscored his raw speed and potential. The was his strongest race result, a P4 finish demonstrating his ability to capitalize on track conditions and race incidents. Conversely, early DNFs, particularly the collision at the on lap 0, illustrate the fragility of a season's momentum. The consistent points haul in the latter part of the season, from Belgium to Abu Dhabi, was a testament to his sustained performance and the team's development, contributing significantly to Force India's overall standing in the .