Hülkenberg: “I'm a little surprised to be in third place! »

How can we remain unmoved by the journey of Nico Hulkenberg ? Often placed but never able to achieve even a podium in Formula 1, the German seems determined to fully seize the opportunity of an unexpected return to F1.

His third time achieved in the car usually reserved for Sergio Pérez at Racing Point was acquired by force of the wrist. While his teammate Lance stroll was relegated to three tenths (6th), the winner of 24 Hours of Le Mans 2015 received congratulations from the other top 10 competitors in the parc ferme.

How good was that quali by @HulkHulkenberg?! #F170 #F1 pic.twitter.com/t7qIpe3N98

- Formula 1 (@ F1) August 8

“In Q3, I gave the maximum, everything I had in me. I didn't think of much. I'm a little surprised to be in third place! » Indeed, Nico Hülkenberg had not set such a goal. “I was pretty confident about being in the top 10, but not third. »

The eternal hope has also regained automatisms while his career in Formula 1 seemed like ancient history at the start of the year. “It was a totally crazy two weeks, exclaimed the luxury freelancer. The previous week was like a roller coaster, with highs such as my last minute return to F1, and the lows of my package (mechanical problem Sunday lunchtime. Editor’s note). »

These last few days, I feel much better behind the wheel. I am also more prepared, even if in Q2 I had a scare (passage in the grass in Chapel. Ed.). I was afraid of damaging the car, he explains.

Non-starter last Sunday, Nico Hülkenberg no longer experienced the adrenaline of the five red lights lit from Abu Dhabi in December 2019. Will this break serve him badly when starting from the second row? 

« Driving this Racing Point remains a new experience for me. I have never started a Grand Prix with her. But we will do the best we can. I try to learn as quickly as possible. Tire management is the least of my worries, as they are very similar to 2019. 

I always know how an F1 race goes, I will race using all my experience acquired over the seasons. »

Nico Hülkenberg's body, and particularly his neck, suffered during the long stints in testing the previous week. What about this time? “We couldn't expect big things last week. It was hard. 

The cars are brutal, changes of direction result in strong lateral Gs. I hadn't really trained for it and I felt it. JI think I'll still survive it, one way or another. »

Coincidence of fate, Nico Hülkenberg achieved his best performance in qualifying this Saturday since the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix, and a second time on… a Force India, the old name of Racing Point.