Germany are edging ever closer to the A1 Grand Prix crown after Nico Hulkenberg secured the nation their sixth victory of the season at Eastern Creek, another peerless drive that continues to cement the teenager's status as an exciting prospect for the future.
An occasionally bruising encounter that proved to be in sharp contrast to the rather more cautious sprint event, the top two final positions of Hulkenberg and New Zealand's Jonny Reid may have come as little surprise to some, but a stunning first podium in A1 GP for China and Ho-Pin Tung undoubtedly proved the most endearing story of the day.
With the Australian circuit living up to its reputation as being tricky, if not impossible, to overtake on, the start and the ensuing pit stops just a few laps later provided the best chance for the drivers to make their move.
Indeed, the getaway was a typically frantic affair, not least at the front when Reid plunged the Power Boost button at the lights, propelling his car past Hulkenberg through turn one and managing to resist the German's attentions around the outside of the second bend to retain the lead.
Further back, Robbie Kerr and Alan van der Merwe tangled at the rear of the field to undertake a bit of grass cutting over Eastern Creek's barren terrain, although worse was to come just a few corners later when James Hinchcliffe and Christian Murchison collided, the former being dramatically flipped over several times.
Despite the severity of the smash, occurring when Murchison in his Singapore car misjudged a move down the inside of turn four and locked wheels with his rival, Hinchcliffe was extricated quickly, waving to the crowd before being whisked to the medical centre for precautionary checks.
![Nico Hulkenberg (GER) - A1 Team Germany [Pic credit: A1GP Media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/286589.jpg)
