Nico Hulkenberg has heaped praise on the Haas Formula 1 team after he qualified in second place for the Canadian Grand Prix.
The German driver, who returned to F1 with Haas this year, secured his first front-row starting spot since the Austrian Grand Prix in 2016.
Hulkenberg set a strong lap in wet conditions during Q3, crossing the finish line just moments before a red flag was deployed following a crash for Oscar Piastri.
Hulkenberg will share the front row with Max Verstappen on Sunday, as the Red Bull driver commanded the field to take his fifth pole position.
“It was a wild qualifying, it was crazy, changing conditions around here are tricky with the walls so close and exit speeds high,” Hulkenberg reflected.
“Obviously, it was wet to dry and back to wet so you have to readjust all the time, but it was fun, it was good.
“It is a bit unexpected, but obviously I’m very happy and proud the team did a solid job, it was very smooth. I’m very happy.”
With visibility low and tyre calls critical, Hulkenberg praised Haas for successfully seeing him through the session and onto the front row.
“In this weather, it’s just about a lot of communications,” he added.
“A lot of radio calls going back and forth, obviously you look at what the others do and think for yourself, but we did pretty well today, no major mistakes, that’s also why we stand here now.
“The front row is nice, very sweet, let’s see how long we can keep that and let’s see what the conditions are tomorrow.
“All the signs are very different for a dry race, so a very different cup of tea.
“I just want to go out there, racing as hard as we can, squeeze it and hopefully we can get a nice result.”
