Back in Sahara Force India seat, German driver says team must do its homework to maintain midfield status
Nico Hulkenberg, who made a comeback to Sahara Force India (SFI) on Tuesday after racing for Sauber last season, believes that the sport is headed for a new era and that the Silverstone-based team will need to do its ‘homework’ to maintain its midfield status in 2014.
Nico Hulkenberg will be racing for Force India in 2014. PIC/Getty Images
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“We have high aims for the upcoming season. We are entering a new era, so we’re all in the dark about what will happen. It won’t be until the first few races of the season that we have a better understanding of how competitive we are.
“But the aim is always to get better. All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and do our homework,” Hulkenberg, who was a test and reserve driver for SFI in 2011 before securing a race seat in 2012, told MiD DAY yesterday.
The upcoming F1 season will see cars racing with 1.6 litre V6 engines instead of the 2.4 litre V8 engine configurations which were in use since 2006 besides new regulations.
Hulkenberg was in contention for a spot in the Lotus team which finished two places above SFI this year. However, the team’s financial difficulties resulted in them opting for Pastor Maldonaldo, who has financial backing, instead of the German driver.
Hulkenberg, however, dismissed the notion that he was disappointed at missing out on a seat in a Top 4 side.u00a0“It is what it is. You have to be realistic. I was in touch with Lotus and other teams, but it didn’t work out.
“Force India is a great team and a team I know very well - this will help me in adapting better. The team is also growing. I’m happy with where I am,” he added.u00a0
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