Hulkenberg hopes Haas can 'keep it up' in Barcelona

©Haas

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Nico Hulkenberg hopes Haas can uphold for the remainder of the weekend in Barcelona the strong form displayed by the US outfit in Friday's second practice.

Hulkenberg was a surprise visitor into the top three at the end of the session, the German clocking just behind Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and only 0.270s adrift of pacesetter Max Verstappen.

Hulkenberg set his quickest lap mid-session on Pirelli's soft compound tyre, during a qualifying sim.

©Haas

"It felt decent, especially that lap on new softs, it gives you a lot of grip over one lap," he commented.

"Particularly in FP2, I think we picked up some performance which wasn’t quite there earlier.

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"I’m satisfied with how it’s gone and hope we can keep it up for the next two days. There’s always more to explore, there’s always more to do, but I had a good rhythm today and felt at home in the car.

"I felt like I was in the driving seat which is important – especially around here – it’s been a positive Friday."

©Haas

Kevin Magnussen, who concluded his day P15, says he "tried something that didn't work" in FP2. But the Dane took a lot of encouragement from his teammate's impressive pace.

"Today was fun. The new layout is pretty full-on, it’s a good change," he said.

"FP1 was very good for us, we tried something that didn’t work in FP2 but Nico was fast, so we know the speed is in the car and we’ll work tonight as we always do to try and get on that pace tomorrow.

"It’s super tight, I was P15 and seven tenths off P1 which is crazy, but it is what it is and means we have something to fight for."

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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.