Nico Hulkenberg’s return to the Formula 1 grid was a surprise to the whole F1 world. The German replaced a struggling Mick Schumcher for the current season and has made quite a good impression on Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner who said: “I’m impressed by Nico, how quickly he adapted to the car and to the team” Following Hulkenberg’s P7 finish at Melbourne earlier in the season.
Currently sitting in 7th place in the constructor’s championship with eight points, “The Hulk’s” performances this year got Haas six of those points, outperforming Danish team-mate Kevin Magnussen, who currently has two points.
It’s not surprise that Guenther Steiner had slightly higher hopes for his team this year, given their good performances in qualifying at the start of the season. However, it seems that the VF-23 struggles in races, and Nico Hulkenberg elaborates on how that affected him at a difficult Miami Grand Prix.
“Yeah it was a tricky, difficult race, didn’t quite pan out the way we wanted.
“The start was alright but then I think we were just having difficulties in traffic, you know, when we’re surrounded by other cars we’re struggling for consistency, for grip.
“I still feel some valuable lessons probably learned, some good data and hopefully we can tackle those issues.”
With another week to go until the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, teams are in full preparation for what is sure to be an exciting race.
Nevertheless, if Haas want to capitalise on their quick car, they’ve got some things that they need to address.
“I think we’re aware where the issue is,” stated Hulkenberg.
“We’re addressing it but, you know, it’s not an overnight fix, it’s kind of a long-term thing.
“I think for Imola we have something coming that is aimed at that, so hopefully, fingers crossed, that we do good.”
