All in all, the Italian Grand Pirx marked a bitter sweet race weekend for Stake F1. Whilst youngster Gabriel Bortoleto soared to yet another points finish, Nico Hulkenberg's race ended before it even started. The German reacted to his DNS as well as his teammate's sterling performance in Monza.
As Hulkenberg made his way around the iconic circuit on the formation lap, a call came on the radio asking him to retire his car, which the German veteran did not see coming.
"No, for me everything felt fine," he said to GPblog. "I think something happened on the grid because it got a bit hectic just before I started the formation lap."
Hulkenberg frustrated at DNS in Monza
After qualifying in P12, and taking into consideration the potential present in his C45 Stake F1 car, the possibility to score a double points finish for the team was there.
"Yeah, definitely [frustrating] for me, for the team. Obviously no one wants that, no one intended that. So, it's frustrating [and] disappointing for us.
"It is a technical sport and unfortunately sometimes these things can and do happen," he continued.
What will Hulkenberg's approach be following his early demise in Monza?
"I'm gonna take it on the chin," the German said. "And the good side is we've been competitive this weekend and Gabi scored some valuable points for the fight in the championship," Hulkenberg concluded.
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