Hulkenberg keen to show Force India’s ‘true potential’

Nico Hulkenberg hopes Force India can have a smooth, trouble-free Spanish Grand Prix weekend so it can show its “true potential”.

The Silverstone-based outfit was tipped as a dark horse front-runner in the wake of solid performances in pre-season testing. But after scoring points in Australia, Hulkenberg has endured a trio of scruffy races, while Force India is still looking to rediscover the form it enjoyed at the end of last year.

• Force India upgrade almost as big as B-spec

Still, the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours winner insists that race circumstances have masked his team’s raw pace so far.

“The things have gone against us for the last few races,” Hulkenberg said. “We know we should have scored more points, but it’s impossible to plan for the bad luck we’ve experienced. I’m looking forward to a weekend where everything goes to plan so that we can show our true potential.”

Force India fared well on its most recent visit to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with Hulkenberg even setting a fastest time on the opening pre-season test last February. However, the German warns against trying to extrapolate from the data collected in winter testing.

“When you come back for the race everything is different: the cars have evolved, the temperatures are warmer, and you have to work hard to find the right set-up. That’s why it’s a tricky circuit because confidence counts for a lot and, if you’re not totally comfortable, your lap times really suffer.”

Force India will introduce a significant upgrade to its VJM09 in Friday practice, with team boss Vijay Mallya teasing “a different look” and chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer telling F1i the evolution is almost as big as last year’s B-spec car.

Technical focus: Halo or Aeroscreen?

Exclusive Jenson Button Q&A

F1i Classic: Schumacher's "5th gear only" signature drive at the 1994 Spanish GP