Nico Hulkenberg believes Kick Sauber now ‘serious competitor’ in midfield after upgrades

Nico Hulkenberg is assured that Kick Sauber are actually a “severe competitor” within the midfield struggle, with the group persevering with to realize “momentum” since first introducing vital upgrades again at Spherical 9 in Spain.

Whereas Hulkenberg ended the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in P7, the squad then suffered a long term with out factors – which was dropped at an finish when the German driver took a formidable P5 in Barcelona.

The group have gone on to assert a top-10 end at each race since, together with a double factors consequence for Hulkenberg and group mate Gabriel Bortoleto in Austria earlier than Hulkenberg clinched a surprising P3 one week later at Silverstone, marking his long-awaited first podium in F1.

After the race, Hulkenberg was quizzed on how far more could be doable with the C45 automotive, main the 37-year-old to joke in response: “You need much more? Jesus!

“I feel that is fairly good for starters at the moment. If we had a dry race, it might have been a really completely different day and end result for us.”

Regardless of acknowledging that the altering climate circumstances could have performed a hand in his result at the British Grand Prix, Hulkenberg additionally praised Kick Sauber for persevering with to progress throughout current races, placing them on the coronary heart of the midfield battle.

“While we have made some actually good enhancements since Barcelona, at the moment [at Silverstone] is clearly circumstantial, and the circumstances made this race and this consequence doable,” the veteran driver mentioned.

“However I really feel within the midfield struggle we have undoubtedly gained some momentum, and we’re a severe competitor there. That is the place our struggle is, nevertheless it’s at all times about maximising each race, each weekend, and simply attempting to do nicely.”

Hulkenberg’s rostrum at Silverstone has helped Kick Sauber to climb as much as P6 within the Teams’ Championship on 41 factors, placing them simply 18 factors adrift of Williams in P5.