Hulkenberg in Magnussen vow following Jeddah heroics

Nico Hulkenberg intends to "return the favour" to Kevin Magnussen after the former's heroics to help Haas earn a point in Saudi Arabia.

During the early Safety Car in Jeddah, Hulkenberg did not stop and climbed into the top 10, whereas Magnussen did, but was eventually carrying 20 seconds' worth of penalties, which effectively ruined his race.

Hulkenberg was running 10th with the promise of a point if he could build the gap to the pack of cars stuck behind Magnussen.

The Dane then subsequently put on a defensive masterclass to hold off Yuki Tsunoda, Esteban Ocon and Alex Albon to allow Hulkenberg to pit, and emerge back in 10th place to bank his first points finish in a Grand Prix since seventh in the 2023 Australian Grand Prix - and the German intends to repay his team-mate's efforts.

"One point, and it was a great team effort, a great team game by Kevin," Hulkenberg told media including RacingNews365.

"I didn't see it, but I was told that he really helped my case by holding up the pack behind him which helped open up the window for me to take the point.

"It was a very good job from him, and I will return the favour later in the season.

"I think in races like this, where we have the top five teams, if they stay in the race, that is the top 10, so I always feel you have to do something unorthodox or something that doesn't seem like common sense.

"You have to push your luck a little bit and do something different, offset yourself as it has often paid off in the past."