'Unsung hero' pinpointed after staggering Max Verstappen statistic emerges

Senior Audi F1 figure and three-time Le Mans winner Allan McNish has pinpointed Nico Hulkenberg as an "unsung hero" after being informed of a remarkable statistic. 

Following Hulkenberg's maiden F1 podium in the British Grand Prix on his 239th start, it put the German on more points across the last four races than Max Verstappen. 

It is a statistic that indicates not only Hulkenberg's staggering run of form, but also the difficulties being endured by Verstappen and Red Bull. 

The statistic is also a sign of Stake F1's growing momentum as he prepares to transition into Audi for next year's new power unit regulations. 

In what is a significant season for the Hinwil-based outfit, genuine progress is being made with Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, who scored his first points in Austria. 

McNish, a senior consultant as part of Audi's F1 project, has been hugely impressed by Hulkenberg's form over the past couple of seasons, and has highlighted how beneficial the 37-year-old is to Bortoleto.

When informed on an upcoming episode of the RacingNews365 podcast that Hulkenberg has outscored Verstappen across the past four races, a surprised McNish said: "Oh really! I didn't know that. 

"Yeah, Nico has without question, I think he's performed over all of the grand prix this year. I think he's performed last year and the year before. If I'm very honest, he's an unsung hero in reality.

"And he's using his experience, he's still got the speed, but he's using his guile and experience very well. But also Gabby, in terms of the performances that he's had and the breakthrough points that he got in Austria. 

"I think that was really good because it's just the growth of the driver as well, and he's able to lean and feed off Nico there. But I wasn't aware of that particular stat, but it's a good one."

The upcoming episode of the RacingNews365 podcast featuring Allan McNish will be available on all podcast platforms and YouTube on Monday 14 July!