Share this article on LinkedIn Email

The Force India Formula 1 team says a "fuel miscalculation" was the reason behind Nico Hulkenberg's stoppage during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.

Hulkenberg's car ground to a halt at the pit entry after his first run in Q3, with the German complaining over the radio that he had "no power".

Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley told AUTOSPORT Hulkenberg's car ran out of fuel before reaching the garage.

"It was a fuel miscalculation; that was all," Fernley explained.

"It was human error. We have very few engineering issues like that.

"I can assure you people who make those mistakes feel pretty bad.

"It was a mistake. We are seventh and ninth, we probably could have been seventh and eighth, so it's not too bad."

Hulkenberg ended up setting the ninth fastest time on used tyres, 0.691s behind team-mate Sergio Perez.

He said the team could not refuel the car in time for a second run, because the fuel system got too hot after running dry.

"It was a mess and we couldn't re-start the engine because we had run dry, [and the] fuel pumps are hot," Hulkenberg said.

"It needs time to cool down to get it [the fuel] back in, and we didn't have much time obviously.

"We couldn't re-start and then missed the final run of Q3 on new rubber, unfortunately.

"The first run was on three-lap used tyres, but the new one - unless you do a mistake - is the best one, so it dictates your grid position.

"I think seventh would have been possible, but now we're ninth.

"It's not the end of the world - we still can have a decent race from there."