Hülkenberg serene but “always cautious on Friday”

12th on the morning time sheet, the German progressed to 5th place in the afternoon, seven tenths of the reference established by the Mercedes de Valtteri Bottas (1'33"330).

Hulkenberg is not the type to show off at the end of the opening day but the former winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans showed a satisfied face in the Shanghai paddock after the first two sessions of the weekend. 

« I think it was a good Friday, for what it's worth, Hulkenberg said. I felt good in the car from the first lap and above all confident, which is the most important thing for a driver. The working base is healthy. The balance of the car was immediately in the correct window. The car does what I ask of it without problem. We were therefore able to focus on the details with a view to qualifying. 

I am always careful on Fridays because they are only free sessions. I don't pay much attention to the timesheet. I've had great Fridays, followed by lousy Saturdays and Sundays and vice versa. The goal is always to prepare as best as possible for the rest of the weekend ». 

In trouble since the start of the season, his teammate Daniel Ricciardo stood out at the front during FP1 with the 6th fastest time before falling to 9th place during the second runs. 

« The morning session was more satisfactory, confirmed the Australian. I felt comfortable in the car quite quickly. In the afternoon, I didn't really manage to progress more than that. We will try to understand why because we haven't changed a lot of things on the single-seater so I expected to be more competitive ». 

The Losange drivers, who are taking a modified MGU-K this weekend after the problems encountered at the two previous Grands Prix, are now hoping to experience qualifying without technical setbacks on Saturday afternoon to enter Q3. This would be a first this season.