Hymns of praise for Nico Hülkenberg after sixth place in the Formula 1 qualifying in Singapore: “I don’t think anyone could drive faster”
“There is a man of the day. Nico Hülkenberg,“ were the first words of expert Nico Rosberg at the Sky microphone after the Formula 1 qualifying in Singapore. Hülkenberg had previously placed his Haas in the third row of the grid for the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday. In sixth place overall, he even managed to beat both Ferraris.
”It was fun,” said Hülkenberg after the session at Sky. “I was always on the right side somehow, was able to put in good laps, felt comfortable in the car, had the confidence that I somehow missed last weekend. It was good.”
Hülkenberg explains how Haas mastered the tires
The Haas already made a solid impression in practice, but the colder conditions in qualifying seem to have helped the VF-24 even more. While the rest had problems with warming up the tires, Hülkenberg managed to get enough temperature into the tires again and again.
“We just optimized everything. Especially the outlap, which is also very, very critical, how to warm up the tires and at what temperatures to start the lap. To just have the [tires] perfectly in the window. I think we worked well together as a team and got it spot on.”
“And of course, this is a street circuit. That means the track gets better and better from lap to lap and you just have to go with it somehow and find the time, and I managed that well today, so yes, I’m obviously happy with today.”
Rosberg: Don’t think anyone would get more out of it more than Nico
The Haas may have worked brilliantly in Singapore on Saturday, enabling Hulkenberg to win the midfield battle, but team-mate Kevin Magnussen was already out of Q2 in 14th place. The Dane is not exactly considered a nose-picker in Singapore, after all, he has already managed the fastest race lap in the Marina Bay Street Circuit twice in inferior Haas cars.
“It’s insane what he gets out of this car every Saturday,” said Sky expert Rosberg, who was also amazed. “I don’t think anyone could drive faster than that. So, it’s really mega strong. I mean, P6 in a Haas in Singapore.”
A strong starting position is all the more important on a narrow street circuit like Singapore because historically, overtaking has been very difficult. Although a fourth DRS zone has been added for the 2024 edition of the race, the Haas, which has always been at the top of the top speed table, should not be easy to overtake. So what’s possible for Hülkenberg in the race?
What’s possible for Haas in the race?
“I think that as far as the other midfield teams are concerned, we can definitely challenge them,” said the German. “I mean, we start in front of them. Hopefully it stays that way after the first few laps and I think then we have every opportunity to fight with them. Of course, the goal is to keep them behind us.“
”It’s a long race, a lot can happen, you also need a bit of luck when the safety car comes out. You know from the past that the race can quickly turn upside down and you can find yourself on the wrong side of it.”
In addition, the Emmericher believes that the fourth DRS zone will be a factor: ”I think it will make a difference. It will encourage overtaking. But it depends a little on how bad the track is tomorrow. If it’s not that bad, it might not make that much of a difference. If the conditions are bad, it will open up new possibilities. So, stay tuned.”
Rosberg: Why Hülkenberg never made the leap to a top team
With performances like the one he put in on Saturday evening in Singapore, you have to wonder how Nico Hülkenberg has managed to avoid a podium finish in 220 Grands Prix. Or why the German has never managed to make the leap to a top team?
Rosberg thinks he knows: “He’s had those moments in his career, then again and again… I mean, a Daniel Ricciardo beat him at Renault.”
“Well, it’s a bit strange with him, because we know he’s an incredible talent, but then there were always a few longer phases in his career where things just didn’t go so well, and that’s why he never got the top cockpit.”
