Hulkenberg unhappy with qualifying record against Ricciardo

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Renault's Nico Hulkenberg can't deny he's been outpaced by teammate Daniel Ricciardo in qualifying this season, but the German invokes mitigating factors to justify the deficit.

After eight rounds, Hulkenberg and Ricciardo are level on points in the drivers' standings but the score between the two drivers on Saturdays is an overwhelming 7 to 1 in favour of the Aussie.

While Hulkenberg acknowledges his teammate's merits, the German also points to a few unfortunate circumstances that held him back in qualifying.

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"After the first three, four races, in which he stumbled a little - well he didn't stumble, but he just needed a period to get used to it - that was the time where I always had technical problems in qualifying," explained Hulkenberg.

"A few [good results] slipped through my hands. They went to him.

"He does a good job in qualifying, you have to say that and acknowledge it. Somehow there's a bit of a worm [jinx] in it for me in qualifying this year.

"Somehow there's always something - sometimes it's my own fault, sometimes small unfortunate circumstances in the background, but nothing serious," he added.

"For example the wind. Suddenly I will have a head wind on the straight and I will lose one and a half tenths.

"The numbers speak for themselves and sound very clear - and I don't like them either. But it is what it is.

"We're the same when it comes to points. I'll try to turn the statistics around a bit now, but he already knows what he's doing in qualifying."

Hulkenberg insists his teammate's edge on Saturdays hasn't altered the good relationship they share at Renault.

"It's similar to all the other teammates before," he said.

"It's already a competition, but there is open communication between both sides.

"We have the same views about the car and where we want to go with the development, it's all going quite well."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.