Hulkenberg Eyes Haas Momentum in Tight F1 Battle

Nico Hulkenberg believes Haas F1 can challenge RB for sixth place, emphasizing the team’s momentum after securing two crucial points by holding off Sergio Perez in the high-pressure heat of Singapore.

Nico Hulkenberg revealed that the extreme heat of Singapore took a toll on him after the race, and the pressure he faced to stay ahead of Sergio Perez highlighted the need for a flawless second stint without mistakes.

A painful yet crucial task for the rest of the season.

“It was a very intense second stint. I had to be impeccable, super clean, and clinical, like everyone else. But yes, it was tough feeling Perez’s heat behind me while trying to catch Fernando Alonso in his dirty air,” the Haas F1 driver shared.

“Obviously, it’s hard to overtake with these cars now, and the braking zones are so small, we brake so late that it’s very difficult to pass. But yes, a difficult second stint under a lot of pressure from Perez. Not that we were battling, but I just had to stay clean.”

“It wasn’t easy, it was very tough and hard. The heat literally wiped me out, and it took me several days to recover. So, it’s a bit more satisfying to have secured 2 points against Perez instead of just one. Every point matters for us.”

Indeed, the American team is now only three points behind RB F1. The German reiterated his belief that sixth place in the constructors’ championship is achievable for Haas F1.

“Everyone in the team firmly believes we can challenge them and beat them. We scored a point the weekend before [with Oliver Bearman in Baku]. We should have scored more, and now, with six races left, everything is still to play for.”

“Obviously, they’re not going to let us. They’ll try to fight back, but it’s race by race now until the end. I think we have the right momentum. There’s a small break now, but I’m looking forward to the next triple-header because it’s probably my favorite part of the season with the three circuits coming up.”

“We are competitive in the race, and in Austin, we’ll actually have more upgrades. So, that’s encouraging, and we have some good circuits for our package. I hope we’ll score a few more points.”