• Indian Grand Prix

Hulkenberg achieves Force India 'maximum'

Nico Hulkenberg made up four places in the opening stint of the race © Sutton Images

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• Race:
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• Drivers:
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Nico Hulkenberg said he achieved "the maximum" for Force India by scoring points in eighth place in the Indian Grand Prix.

Having endured a tough qualifying session and started 12th, Hulkenberg got a good start to run ninth and passed Sergio Perez for eighth in the opening stint. Late in the race he withstood pressure for the faster Romain Grosjean and as a result Hulkenberg thinks he couldn't have scored a better result.

"I am very happy to be honest, I think a great race by the team," Hulkenberg said. "I didn't make a mistake at all being pushed by Grosjean towards the end of the race but we didn't crack under the pressure. I think a well deserved four points again, I'm really happy and satisfied. I think that was the maximum and we got it."

Hulkenberg admitted it was a special feeling to race in front of Force India's home fans, and enjoyed the end of the race when he didn't make it back to parc ferme.

"It felt very good and obviously I stopped the car on the track and that was right in front of a big grandstand and everyone was cheering and cheering me on. Actually there were a lot of Force India t-shirts and Indian flags so that was really nice to see - I got goosebumps - just a very nice feeling to be honest."

With India being the first of back-to-back races, Hulkenberg added that he expected to be even stronger in Abu Dhabi next weekend due to the track characteristics.

"I'm looking forward. Obviously we have again got another points finish so a lot of momentum. I think since the summer break - since Spa - we've been scoring points with at least one car at every race, so it's a good sign for us. I'm even more confident for Abu Dhabi because the track is a bit like Singapore and in Singapore we looked very competitive."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.