Nico Hulkenberg feels he's gaining momentum in Formula 1

The German raced for Williams in 2010 before losing his seat, spending the following season as Friday driver for Force India.

After being promoted to a race drive last season alongside Paul di Resta, Hulkenberg had a solid first half of the season before hitting top form with an impressive run of results after the August break.

Despite moving to Sauber this year, he is certain coming into a campaign off the back of a full season of racing has allowed him to further improve even while adjusting to a new team.

"You are always learning as there are always new circumstances, new tyres, new regulations," Hulkenberg told AUTOSPORT.

"It's my third year. In 2012, I came back after the break in 2011 but now there was the smooth transition from '12 to '13.

"I'm confident I can say that pretty much every time I squeeze the maximum out of myself and the car."

Hulkenberg has scored only seven points so far this season, all of the tally built up by Sauber.

But even though he has not managed to claim any eyecatching results, his best being eighth in the Malaysian GP, he believes his performances have been consistently good.

"Malaysia was a good effort, the first race because I missed Melbourne [after a fuel leak was found pre-race].

"There have been quite a few good ones but when you don't end up in the points, they don't look so great even though they were all pretty decent.

"The consistency has been quite good. There is not one which massively stands out in terms of points as the best was eighth, but they have all been quite good."