Fighting at all costs, even against Red Bull, to reach the goal: a grid veteran does not give up on battles on the track in Formula 1. Very often, defensive fighting tends to be sacrificed: the faster driver or car is allowed to pass to avoid wasting time and to focus on one’s own strategy. But someone on the grid still considers every duel essential.
Contemporary Formula 1 is sometimes ambiguous about on-track fighting. The FIA and Liberty Media seek overtakes, promoting them with regulations that help the chasing driver stay close to the car ahead and attempt an actual attack. The downside is the strict rules on “dangerous driving,” which sometimes lead to excessive penalties.
But it’s not just the Federation’s regulations that undermine the spectacle: sometimes it’s the drivers and teams that, prioritizing strategy over track position, let seemingly faster opponents pass. A sensible and intelligent choice, but one that needs careful evaluation: sometimes, it’s “defense at all costs” that pays off.
This was the case with Nico Hulkenberg, who, in his Haas, repeatedly denied Sergio Perez a pass in the final stages of the Singapore Grand Prix: “We put ourselves in a great position in qualifying, then I had a good start and a clean race,” the German explained. “[On defending at the end of the race] I don’t care if it’s a Red Bull or anyone else, it’s important to get those points.” – the German racing driver explained.
“From that point of view, it went well. There are some things to look at and review in terms of strategy, but otherwise, the race was clean. It wasn’t a very eventful [Grand Prix], but it was stressful keeping the Red Bull behind for the whole second stint. It was tough to bring it home with the tires and everything else, but we made it.” – Nico Hulkenberg concluded.
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