Nico Hulkenberg upbeat about Sauber form after Jerez test
Nico Hulkenberg expects Sauber to be in the competitive mix this season after describing the laptimes as being "like qualifying" at times during testing
The Sauber newcomer was fifth fastest yesterday and was agreed that the new C32 is a "fast car".
"At one point I was looking at the timing monitor and it looked like qualifying, it [the laptimes] were separated by only a few hundredths so we should happy with the two days," said Hulkenberg.
"The car performed reasonably well. It's something we can build on, so I think it's a good baseline.
"It needs further development. We know in Formula 1 you cannot stop."
Hulkenberg added that after two days of driving, he is now more comfortable in the Sauber.
He insists that he is not having major problems with accommodation in the cockpit despite being significantly taller than his predecessors at Sauber.
"I've got a bit more comfortable with the car," he said. "The first two days in the office, obviously quite a few things and items to get used to.
"My main priority was to come here to make sure I'm comfortable in the car,seating-wise, comfort-wise and obviously with the steering wheel.
"We've made some little tweaks and modifications so we're going the right way."
Team-mate Esteban Gutierrez has taken over the Sauber for the final two days of the Jerez test.
Previous article
Rosberg: Mercedes must only show progress for 2013 to be a success
Next article
Red Bull says no car will dominate in 2013 Formula 1 season
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Nico Hulkenberg |
| Teams | Sauber |
| Author | Edd Straw |
The AlphaTauri improvements that mean Gasly’s form is no fluke
Pierre Gasly has driven superbly since demotion from Red Bull in 2019, but the team formerly known as Toro Rosso has come on strong too – building a car that can often challenge Ferrari and McLaren. Here Gasly reveals to ALEX KALINAUCKAS how AlphaTauri has given him the tools needed to rebuild his reputation
Why Bottas feels the time has come to be “more selfish”
We’ve seen five distinct versions of Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes as he’s tried to fulfil his own ambitions while being a consummate team player – two difficult, competing missions which have been challenging to reconcile. Speaking exclusively to STUART CODLING, Bottas explains his highs and lows… and why he still believes he can be world champion
Does Aston have a case in F1 2021’s big technical row?
Aston Martin claims Formula 1’s latest technical tweaks have cost it competitiveness – and that it’s the innocent victim of a regulatory stitch-up aimed at pegging back Mercedes. But is any of this actually true? It depends on who you ask, says STUART CODLING
How long can F1 2021's brewing title battle stay clean?
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have been evenly matched so far in the 2021 Formula 1 title race. Neither has been afraid to get aggressive against each other on track, teeing up an enthralling contest as the year unwinds. But is their rivalry destined to end in broken shards of carbon fibre?
What the Spain result tells F1 about the next phase of the Mercedes/Red Bull title fight
OPINION: Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have recovered from their pre-season woes to take three wins from the opening four races of 2021. But each time Red Bull and Max Verstappen have pushed them hard. So, what clues did the latest round of that battle – the Spanish Grand Prix – tease about the next stage of the season?
How Brabham’s one-hit wonder was boxed into a corner
The Brabham BT46B raced once, won once, then vanished – or did it? STUART CODLING reveals the story of the car which was never actually banned…
The changes Barcelona needs to provide a modern-day F1 spectacle
Formula 1’s visits to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya over recent years have been met with familiar criticisms despite tweaks here and there to the track to improve racing. With the 2021 Spanish Grand Prix largely going the same way, proper solutions need to be followed to achieve F1’s wider targets
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Often described as Formula 1's laboratory, the Circuit de Catalunya-Barcelona gave the clearest demonstration yet of the pecking order in 2021. And it's the key discrepancies from that order which illuminate who is excelling, and who needs to hit the reset button
