Hulkenberg admits Force India chasing performance

Nico Hulkenberg admits Force India started trying to find out the potential of its new car on its way to setting the fastest time of testing on Wednesday.

With Sergio Perez having been third fastest on day two, Hulkenberg topped the times at both lunchtime and at the end of the third day in Barcelona. The afternoon session saw Force India using the supersoft tyre to set the second fastest lap of the week overall, and Hulkenberg admits the time was set on a performance run.

Asked if there was any fuel in the car, Hulkenberg replied: "Yes, there was actually!

"Enough to do a few laps. No, I think a good positive day, good impressions. Obviously learning about the car.

"I agree probably we tested a bit more, tested our package out a bit more what we were able to do than the competition today, but it’s not that much time till Melbourne, so we’ve got to get started and learn about the car. Very encouraging, positive and good day."

And Hulkenberg says the similarities between the car which finished 2015 and the VJM09 has helped the team hit the ground running.

"I mean, if you look where we finished last year, we were pretty decent. This car… It’s always difficult to compare after a couple of months when tyres change and some small bits change, but it does feel good, it does feel the right direction.

"But, you know we can’t stop working - we need to keep improving, working hard. We haven’t done even one race yet - we don’t know really where we’re going to be. So far, so good."