When Nico Hulkenberg walked out of the paddock at last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he was surrounded by reflections of a Formula 1 career that had not fully delivered on the opportunities that had come its way.
For all the brilliance he showed on his way to the top, Hulkenberg's time at Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault had failed to produce the kind of star results he perhaps deserved. Yes, there had been that brilliant pole position for Williams at the end of his rookie campaign in 2010 in Brazil, but a look back over Hulkenberg's career pointed more to the moments that had got away from him.
There had been that Hockenheim exit last year which played a key role in Renault's decision to replace him with Esteban Ocon this year. Plus, of course, that stand out drama of Brazil 2012 when he crashed out while fighting Lewis Hamilton for the lead.