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Hulkenberg pays penalty for Singapore crash

Singapore - Force India's Nico Hulkenberg had a Singapore GP to forget on Sunday when he crashed out after 12 laps following a collision with Felipe Massa's Williams.

He was given a grid penalty for the next race.

Hulkenberg started in 11th place and had made his first pit stop at the Marina Bay Street Circuit but was broadsided by the Massa, who was exiting the pitslane at high speed after making his first tyre change.

'I got hit in the back'

Hulkenberg's car was briefly airborne before it slammed into the barriers at Turn Three while Massa was able to continue despite suffering damage to his bodywork and front wing but was later forced to retire on the 31st lap.

As it happened: 2015 Singapore GP

Hulkenberg told reporters: "I saw him coming out of the pitslane but afterwards I knew I was in front. And then I got hit in the back/"

Hulkenberg, 11th in the standings on 30 points going into the race, was unable to continue and stewards investigated the incident as he made his way back to the paddock on foot.

He was deemed to be at fault for the collision with stewards saying he "should have left Massa racing room" and given a three-grid-position penalty for next week's Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.

Hulkenberg said, explaining how he saw the incident: "I was on the racing line ahead going into Turn Three and he's (Massa) coming out of the pits and touches me on the back."

"A bit strange also and I don't understand why the penalty's given right away and why they didn't listen to what the different views were. I'll go back and speak to the team."

Massa, for his part, felt the penalty was justified: "Well, I think honestly the penalty is correct. I was inside. He just turned the car over my car... I couldn't do anything. For sure, what he did was not correct."

2015 Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit: Results

Race

Qualifying

Third practice

Second practice

First practice

Stay with Wheels24 for the 2015 Singapore Grand Prix

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