Nico Hulkenberg's Le Mans win 'showed Formula 1's quality'

Hulkenberg took victory in the French sportscar classic with Porsche two weeks ago, sharing the honours with Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber.

The Force India driver then returned to Formula 1 and secured his best result of the season with sixth in the Austrian Grand Prix.

Fernley, Force India's deputy team principal, believes Hulkenberg and Formula 1 benefitted from his success.

"It shows the quality of Formula 1 drivers, that one can go across to Le Mans and become one of the stars of the show," he told AUTOSPORT.

"From Nico's point of view that Le Mans win has put him back into the frame where he should be.

"It has given him the confidence in himself again which is very important.

"We've never for one minute questioned his ability.

"But all drivers, if they go through a bit of a lean patch start to question themselves and he doesn't have to.

"Le Mans ticked the box for him so he's off and running again.

"Hopefully we can give him a car at Silverstone to be able to show how his talents again as I think the combination could be very strong."

Hulkenberg's Austrian GP result moved him up to ninth in the F1 drivers' standings and pushed Force India past Lotus for fifth in the constructors' points.