Nico Hulkenberg feels he is ready to take on the challenge of leading Force India up the grid as the German starts his third F1 campaign with the Silverstone-based team.
The 27-year-old first joined the squad from Williams in 2011 and initially served as reserve driver to Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil. Hulkenberg was then promoted to a race seat the following season before switching to Sauber in 2013.
Having returned to Force India last year, the 2009 GP2 Series champion is now entering his fifth season at the top echelon and feels ready to embrace more responsibilities within the team.
“Yes, I think so”, Hulkenberg told F1i when asked if he is now in a position to really lead Force India and tell where improvements are needed.
“I know this team quite well, I feel comfortable in it, I feel part of it. I am very happy here. It’s important for a driver to feel that. And it also allows you to outperform (the car) sometimes and reach for your optimum, and maybe more than you can.
“I just enjoy working with them here. Obviously, we all have the desire to have a quicker car and to be a bit further up but it’s only day one of the season.”
Force India only unveiled its new challenger at the final pre-season test but still saw both VJM08s reach the second phase of qualifying, with Hulkenberg pipping team-mate Sergio Perez to P14 by one thousand.
While the Mexican braces for a “painful race” tomorrow, the German thinks the pair can mix it with their rivals in front.
“I’d say “never say never”. I go to the race very open minded. I feel confident and comfortable in the car. Generally, I am happy just to be here and I look forward to racing, having the competition and getting everything out of it.
“There will be a race for us, that's for sure. We won’t be at the back doing our own race. I’d be surprised if it’s like that.”
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