Midfield challenge supersedes Singapore milestone for Hulk

Nico Hulkenberg will enjoy his 150th race start in Formula 1 next weekend, but the Renault driver is focused on his team's midfield battle rather than on the big milestone.

It all started in 2010 for Hulkenberg when he lined up his Williams on the grid of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Eight years and 149 races later, the man who holds the unwanted record of most GPs without a podium finish, is more interested in the immediate job at hand than the stats.

"It’s a significant milestone to have been racing in Formula 1 for so long with that many races under my belt," he nevertheless admits.

"But it’s just a number at this stage and we have a challenge on our hands in the midfield battle, so I’ll be drawing on my experience and targeting a positive weekend in Singapore."

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Hulk's recent track record around the Marina Bay circuit isn't anything to write home about. But with the grid penalties that weighed him down at Monza now out of the way, confidence is once again on the rise.

"We did all we could from the back of the grid, and I’m pleased with how the weekend progressed," says the German.

"It’s good that the team are back in the points especially at a power-sensitive circuit like Monza. The penalties are hopefully out of the way and we head to Singapore in confident mood aiming to have both cars in the points."

Still, Singapore's unique challenges must be dealt with, but overall Hulkenberg is a fan of the venue.

"It’s a unique Grand Prix in more ways than one, and it’s the only real night race we have on the calendar.

"Racing under artificial lighting does take a little getting used to, but Singapore has been on the calendar for so long now, it feels pretty normal.

"We don’t see too much daylight there as we’re working on European time. We sleep until lunchtime and then the work begins.

"The facilities at Singapore are really good, and it’s a very enjoyable venue for a Grand Prix."

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