Hülkenberg keeps faith in Audi’s mission: “We will force the good results to come”

Written by Bo Helmus

Nico Hülkenberg would’ve hoped for some better results with Audi | Credit: Formula One

It is a disappointing season so far for Nico Hülkenberg. The grand entrance of Audi into the world of Formula One is not quite the success they would’ve hoped, yet. The German’s teammate Gabriel Bortoleto scored two points in the opening round, and that’s all the drivers were able to scrape together so far.  

Could the team from Germany turn things around in Austria? The Audi-drivers finished close to the top ten on many occasions, but often failed to take home the points. 

Staying focused

Hülkenberg won’t give up on the season yet: “I think just all in all, we’re making progress. The performance, you know, is there. We are competitive in the midfield and, you know, I feel both in Monaco and Barcelona, we were able to put it into the top 10 on merit. But yeah, both race weekends had circumstances that denied results on Sunday.”

Hülkenberg’s race came to an early end in Spain | Credit: Formula One

The German driver sees progress at the team: “I think, you know, I feel also on Sunday in Barcelona, we made life slightly difficult and hard for ourselves, but there are definitely positive signs. The car, if I compare it now to how it felt the first two, three races to where we are now, there’s definitely some good progress there. I think it’s just a matter of time and a matter of us putting it together and staying clean and staying focused.”

Better luck in Europe

Last year, Audi, who were still Kick Sauber back then, turned it all around in Europe. All of a sudden, the team started scoring points regularly. On top of it all, Hülkenberg was able to break his curse and finish on the podium at Silverstone.

The team seems to be able to put it together, as the Friday in Austria was not at all bad for Audi. Hülkenberg was only a tenth from a top 10 time in the first practice session, whilst Bortoleto had to give up his seat for Paul Aron. In the second session, the Brazilian driver set the tenth-fastest time with his teammate three tenths behind in fourteenth place. 

Last year, Hülkenberg scored his first ever podium in Formula One at Silverstone | Credit: Formula One

Even though the practice results are pretty optimistic for Audi, the 38-year-old doesn’t think the team will reproduce last year’s streak that easily: “Yeah, of course it’s different. You know, being a factory team now, being Audi, it’s certainly, there has been a change and a shift in the team, all positive.”

The reward will come

All that positivity hasn’t led to any results for the German combination yet, but a lot can change in a few races time: “I don’t know what to expect. It’s not about what we expect, it’s about what we put on the road. It’s about how we perform. We’re obviously in the European leg now, some races and circuits coming up that I do enjoy.”

Can Hülkenberg do something special in Europe this time around? | Credit: Audi F1 

The familiar sight of the European tracks brings an unpleasant surprise: “It’s obviously the summer season, most of the races are going to be hot, Silverstone around the corner next weekend, which is one of my favourite tracks. And yeah, we’ll obviously give it our best shot and then try to finally take something home on Sundays.”

Hülkenberg won’t be disheartened: “Like I said, I think the first five, six races were obviously tough for us, challenging in many areas, but I feel we’ve battled through it, you know, and really dug ourselves out, but we haven’t gotten the reward yet. So yeah, we keep working and pushing for that, that we will force it to come.”