Hulkenberg: Slicks the only decision despite drop to P6

Nico Hulkenberg believes the Haas team made the correct tyre calls after claiming an impressive sixth place in Austria.

After running as high as second in the opening exchanges of the Sprint, Hulkenberg soon fell behind Red Bull's Sergio Perez and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz to run in fourth place as the damp circuit dried.

The Haas driver lost another place to Aston Martin's Lance Stroll before pitting for slick tyres in the final third of the race.

From there, Hulkenberg made a late recovery to pass the likes of Lando Norris and Esteban Ocon for sixth place, and finished just over one second behind the squabbling Aston Martin cars to deliver 'unexpected' Sprint race points for Haas.

"It was eventful and busy, but obviously positive. We didn't really expect to have points in the Sprint race coming here, so I'm happy to have more points on the board," Hulkenberg told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"It was a fun race with mixed conditions. It was a good job I think from the team, and we rewarded ourselves."

Having run ahead of the Aston Martin cars earlier on, Hulkenberg was asked if he considered staying out on Intermediate tyres to the end of the race.

"I think for us it was the only decision, because the Intermediate tyre was just giving up too much," added Hulkenberg.

"I was really seeing how others were catching me, and I didn't have the grip anymore, so it was pretty straightforward.

"And George was obviously the first guy that left before and the team said it's looking okay, and I felt also that it was about time."

The sixth place finish provides Haas with three points sees the American team overtake Alfa Romeo for P7 in the Constructors Championship.