Nico Hülkenberg misses top 10 in Belgian GP qualifying

Nico Hülkenberg will start the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix from 12th place after technical problems in qualifying. The Audi driver struggled with gearbox issues during Q2 at Spa-Francorchamps, missing the top 10 by six-tenths of a second.

What went wrong in qualifying?

Hülkenberg's problems began early in Q2. The 38-year-old reported losing gear synchronization, causing harsh shifts. His final fast lap was ruined when the issue returned in the first sector.

The session ended abruptly when Hülkenberg had to stop his car due to a hydraulic leak. 'We have a hydraulic leak,' his team confirmed over radio. This marked another in a series of similar issues this season.

How did the technical issues affect his race?

Despite the setbacks, Hülkenberg remains focused. 'The car will be repaired today,' he said. 'Either it holds tomorrow or it doesn't.' He also noted that his teammate's top-10 performance showed the car's potential.

The German driver had an additional challenge in Q1. Two Cadillacs ahead forced him to abort his planned lap and start a new run. This disrupted his rhythm on an already frustrating day.

What comes next for Hülkenberg?

Hülkenberg will start Sunday's race from 12th position, benefiting from penalties to Isack Hadjar and Lando Norris. While disappointed with qualifying, he sees positives in the car's performance.

'The speed and performance to attack in the midfield are there,' he noted. The team must now ensure everything runs smoothly on race day. Hülkenberg's focus remains on making progress despite the ongoing technical challenges.