Sauber is currently experiencing ups and downs in Formula 1: Nico Hülkenberg talks about the fight for survival and why he believes in change despite setbacks
Sauber is experiencing a rollercoaster ride of emotions this season: highlights, such as Nico Hülkenberg’s first Formula 1 podium, have recently been followed by setbacks and several races without points. Nevertheless, the German believes that the team is currently undergoing an important transformation.
“I think it’s a process,” Hülkenberg replies when asked whether the mindset within the team needs to change first and a winning mentality slowly developed. “Of course, it’s a fact that the last few years have been tough.”
“It was actually a matter of survival for the team. And that naturally leaves its mark; it’s ingrained in people,” says the 38-year-old. “But I believe a change is taking place, a process to move away from that – to develop further and work in the other direction.”
“Of course, the highlights we’ve achieved this year are helping enormously with the confidence of everyone in the team. It shows that when we do a good job, when we perform strongly, then things happen, then we can get results. So yes, something is happening. There is progress in that regard.”
Hülkenberg honest: A few chances missed
However, this progress is not yet really evident on the track, as Sauber has only scored points once in the four races since the summer break. There are two reasons for this: “I have the feeling that some teams have taken a step forward,” said Hülkenberg.
“Haas, for example, and RB was already strong anyway. Aston Martin has probably improved as well. Williams is somehow always there.” However, the competition is not the only reason why the World Championship points have not been achieved recently.
“I think we also had a few missed opportunities in terms of execution in the race and strategy,” said the German, holding his Sauber team responsible. “There were a few things we just didn’t get right, and you pay the price for that immediately.”
It’s “tough” in the midfield of Formula 1
“It’s tough in the midfield: if you don’t execute perfectly, that’s it,” Hülkenberg emphasizes. In Singapore, for example, “it just wasn’t the right moment for the stop, we were kind of in no man’s land. We should have gone in either earlier or really late, like Carlos [Sainz] did, for example.“
”But where we ultimately stopped, there was really nothing to be gained. And in the end, we just lost.” Aston Martin, on the other hand, collected six World Championship points in the night race and was able to increase its lead over Sauber to 13 points.
Can Sauber turn the tide against Aston Martin in the last six races? “I think they have some momentum at the moment,” says Hülkenberg. “They have improved their package and are a serious opponent. One that we definitely take seriously, but one that we don’t have to hide from either.”
“Every weekend counts, every result counts,” says the Sauber driver, who is already looking to fight back in Austin. “So everything is still open for both teams, but I think we’ll probably be battling each other until the end of the season.”
