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Nico Hülkenberg was disqualified at the chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix. A black flag ended his race.
São Paulo – At the Brazilian Grand Prix Nico Hulkenberg a special honor that no Formula 1 driver would want: the Black Flag. The German Haas driver had to quit the race on the 27th lap after getting stuck on a curb and receiving illegal help from marshals. They pushed his car back onto the track, which, according to the regulations, led to his disqualification.
Black flag for Hülkenberg: The last time a rare penalty in Formula 1 happened was 17 years ago
The Black Flag is in the Formula 1 a rarity. It was last shown 17 years ago at the Canadian Grand Prix, when Giancarlo Fisichella and Felipe Massa ignored a red light as they exited the pits.
Nico Hülkenberg is pushed back onto the track by marshals at the F1 race in Brazil. © Florent Gooden/Imago
Hülkenberg’s frustration over the “black weekend” at the F1 Grand Prix in Brazil
Nico Hülkenberg was visibly disappointed after the race. “The whole weekend is a black weekend for us. “It feels like everything that could have gone wrong went wrong,” said the Emmericher on the Sky microphone.
The incident on lap 27, when his Haas got stuck on a curb, was the highlight of an already chaotic race. “The subfloor has collapsed, which is of course bad luck. If it doesn’t work, something like that will happen,” added Hülkenberg.
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Unpredictable Brazil race in Formula 1 sinks into rain chaos
The chaotic conditions of the race in Brazil contributed to this rare penalty. The Autódromo José Carlos Pace was the scene of numerous incidents that made the race one of the most unpredictable of the season. In addition to the incident with Hülkenberg, there were several interruptions, including a crash involving Franco Colapinto, which also influenced the race.
The events in São Paulo underline the unpredictability and drama of Formula 1, which continues to cause surprises despite modern regulations. After a furious race to catch up, the race was once again won by Max Verstappen, who compares himself to Michael Schumacher. Hülkenberg eventually had to park his car in the pit lane after he was shown the black flag. (ck)