Nico Hulkenberg: Sauber needed its new Russian partnership deal

Sauber announced earlier this week that it was entering a partnership with a trio of Russian companies, in a move that it hopes will secure its long-term future.

Hulkenberg, who spoke recently of the 'difficult' situation the team faced, is openly considering options elsewhere for 2014 amid the tough times the team has had on and off track this year.

However, he thinks the Russian deal is a huge positive for the team - as he pins hopes that an upgrade package coming for Hungary will deliver another step forward in performance.

"I think it is positive news for the team and it was needed," said the German.

"I didn't have all the details about what was happening, and it was the management's situation, but I knew that we didn't have the budget like the top teams.

"Beyond that, I was here to do my job and I was concentrating on focusing on getting the best out of the package we have - and making the most of that."

The inside story of the deal that saved Sauber

Hulkenberg helped end a recent points drought with top-10 finishes in both the British and German Grands Prix.

That lift in performance has raised spirits that the team is now unlocking the potential of the C32, and a clearer picture of its form will be delivered when a raft of updates appear at the next race in Hungary.

"It is still a development race and we have these updates coming now for Budapest," explained Hulkenberg.

"We need to wait and see how they impact, how they change the car and if they transform it into a much better car or not. That point is really difficult and hard for me to tell right now."