Monaco: Nico Hulkenberg finished fifth for the third time this season after Sergio Perez suffered a crash in the first lap as Sahara Force India secured 10 points from the Monaco Grand Prix under overcast conditions on Sunday.
Hulkenberg showed great control to take fifth position after starting 11th from the gird in the race in which eight drivers suffered retirements. The result meant that Force India remained in fourth position with 67 points but since Fernando Alonso finished fourth, third-placed Ferrai have increased the gap by taking the point tally to 78.
Perez's race ended in the first lap when he was hit by the McLaren of Jenson Button.
It was yet again Mercedes One-two as Nico Rosberg won comfortably ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull.
"Ten points today is a great reward after such a difficult race. The last twenty laps were really tricky because my supersoft tyres were at the end of their life and it was hard to hold off the cars behind me and stay away from the barriers," Hulkenberg said.
"There were a few close moments when I kissed the wall, but I survived and managed to hold on to fifth place.
Fortunately my car was quick in the right places ? going into the tunnel and also through the final corner," the German added.
Sergio Perez said he wants to forget today's collision with Jenson Button.
"I was in a battle with Nico, who was ahead, and I went to take the apex normally. I was on the racing line and ahead of Jenson [Button] when he clipped my rear wheel and spun me around into the barriers. I did not expect him to be there as there wasn't really any space for another car there. It was very unlucky.
"As a racing driver you have good and bad Sundays but this is definitely one I want to forget as soon as possible.
It is disappointing that we lost a big chance to score a good amount of points, but the car felt much better here than in Spain, as shown by Nico?s result. This is a very positive signal looking ahead to Montreal."
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