Hülkenberg lifts Sauber off bottom of F1 standings

Nico Hülkenberg lifted Sauber disconnected the bottommost of the Formula 1 standings with a 5th spot decorativeness astatine the Spanish Grand Prix for the aboriginal Audi team.

Sunday's result, successful a car with upgrades, was Swiss-based Sauber's champion successful 3 years and they near the Circuit de Catalunya eighth overall, up of Aston Martin and Renault-owned Alpine.

They had not scored points since Hülkenberg finished seventh successful the Australian season-opener successful March.

"It was 1 of those Sundays wherever everything came unneurotic truly well," Hülkenberg said.

He passed Ferrari's seven-times satellite champion Lewis Hamilton for fifth.

"Right from the beginning, we were successful the mix; a beardown start, a cleanable archetypal lap, and we were instantly capable to combat for points," helium said.

"Ironically, not having the champion Saturday and redeeming a acceptable of softs gave america a strategical borderline with the tyre allocation. The information car mixed things up a bit, and having those caller compounds turned retired to beryllium a aureate ticket."

Hülkenberg has scored each of Sauber's points this play with Brazilian rookie teammate Gabriel Bortoleto, who finished 12th, yet to unfastened his relationship successful 9 starts.

Sauber, who go the Audi mill squad adjacent year, are level connected 16 points with Aston Martin but up connected placings. Alpine are past and 5 further adrift.