At the F1 Chinese GP, Nico Hülkenberg spoke in Shanghai in his print media session, and the German racer it’s “pretty helpful” joining an F1 team with the same power unit as Haas like Sauber do.
A mature driver who is ready to capitalise
Nico Hülkenberg was in the right place at the right time in Melbourne. The German racer scored more points in one race than his new team had achieved in the entire 2024 F1 season. Many expect Sauber to be propping up the 2025 Constructors’ Championship. However, with Hulkenberg in the team they have a mature driver who is ready to capitalise.
In his print media session, the German driver was asked how easy it has been to adapt his style of driving since joining from Haas. It was posed to Hülkenberg as to whether it is easier adapting as Sauber and Haas both run the Ferrari power unit.
“I think it helps,” Hulkenberg admitted. “It’s obviously less of a change and less learning you’re having to do because it’s consistent. All that functionality is carried over and it’s actually pretty helpful not having to have that as well on top of everything else.”
Hülkenberg left Haas after the American-owned team had recorded 58 points last year. He joined a Sauber team which only managed one points finish in the entire 2024 campaign. However, having had such success in Melbourne, a positive start was made.
Hülkenberg’s experience of the power unit
Either way, Hülkenberg’s experience of the power unit means he is in a position of being able to utilise this knowledge to help with his race settings. He admitted that there is not much of an advantage having this knowledge for just a single lap. But in the race, to optimise everything, to understand:
“It’s also then just about once you have it in your system and it’s automated, you have capacity for other things.”
The vibe in the team
One thing that Hulkenberg does have time for is learning new personnel in the team and he was asked how the vibe is in the team after they had such a difficult season last year. Unsurprisingly, having not been in the Sauber ranks in 2024, Hülkenberg said, “Well, I don’t know last year because I wasn’t here. I can’t comment on that.”
Although he did describe the setup that he has found this year and the mood within the camp.
“I think the general atmosphere and mood is good. I think we all realise that we have still work to do and there’s always room for improvement in every aspect. But that’s the challenge. That’s the job. That’s what we’re here for. It feels like everyone is embracing it and happy to take that on. That’s what we’re currently in,” Hülkenberg concluded.
