Nico Hulkenberg retires after stone triggers kill switch in Barcelona

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 10:20 AM

Last updated Jun 15, 2026

Nico Hulkenberg retires after stone triggers kill switch in Barcelona
Summary

Nico Hulkenberg's race at the Barcelona Grand Prix ended prematurely when a stone hit his Audi F1 car, activating the kill switch. The incident occurred during a battle with Liam Lawson, whose error sent gravel onto Hulkenberg's vehicle. Although Hulkenberg returned to the pits, he could not restart the car. He described the incident as unprecedented in his career. His teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto, also finished outside the points in P11, making it a no-points weekend for Audi. Lawson finished in eighth place and was surprised to learn his error inadvertently ended Hulkenberg's race.

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  • Hulkenberg's race ended when a stone hit his car's kill switch.
  • Lawson's mistake caused gravel to hit Hulkenberg's vehicle.
  • Hulkenberg returned to the pits but could not restart the car.
  • Bortoleto finished the race in P11, outside the points.
  • Lawson scored points by finishing eighth.
Latest Updates
  • 10:20 AMYahoo SportsAudi’s Nico Hulkenberg Taken Out by a Single Stone in One of F1’s Strangest DNFs in Barcelona
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Audi F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg revealed that a stone hit his car and activated the kill switch during the Barcelona Grand Prix, ending the race for the F1 veteran. Hulkenberg was engaged in a battle with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson,…

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