The German driver battled into Q3 as conditions dried out from heavy rain and then nailed his second flying lap in the final part of qualifying to lift himself up to second place just seconds before a red flag for Oscar Piastri’s crash.
With the conditions getting worse during the stoppage as the rain returned, it meant Hulkenberg’s front-row spot was secured next to polesitter Max Verstappen, marking the team’s best qualifying since Kevin Magnussen took a shock sprint race pole in Brazil last year.
Hulkenberg credited his team for making the right calls at the right time throughout qualifying in the changeable conditions.
“It was a wild quali. It was crazy,” Hulkenberg said. “Changing conditions are tricky, especially around here with the walls, so close on the exits and the speeds being high.
“Obviously wet, dry and back to wet, so you have to readjust all the time. But it was fun. It was good.
“This comes as a bit unexpected, but obviously very happy and proud. The team did a solid job. It was very smooth. So super happy.
“It's just a lot of communications, a lot of radio calls going back and forth. Obviously, you look at what the others do, and you think for yourself, but I think we hit it pretty well today. No major mistakes.”
Source: Autosport