Nico Hulkenberg, the German driver for Haas VF-24, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress in the early stages of the 2024 Formula 1 season. He believes that the true extent of their improvements will become more apparent in Suzuka. After earning Haas’ first point of the season in Saudi Arabia, Hulkenberg led his teammate Kevin Magnussen in Australia, resulting in a double points finish. The team’s new Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu, had initially tempered expectations for the season, but Hulkenberg was pleasantly surprised by the advancements made in aerodynamic performance and improved tire management during races. However, he anticipates that the high-speed characteristics of the Suzuka circuit in Japan could pose a challenge for Haas. Hulkenberg explained that the team made significant progress in a short amount of time, particularly in December when the aero team resolved previous issues and achieved greater consistency on race days, leading to improved tire life and performance. Despite this progress, Hulkenberg acknowledged that tire management was still challenging during the Australian Grand Prix, with graining being a major concern for all teams. Nevertheless, Haas secured its second points finish of the season, placing seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, just behind the rebranded RB squad. Hulkenberg emphasized the need to be cautious with drawing conclusions, noting that their strong performance in Jeddah was a result of a collective team effort. He also mentioned the close competition with AlphaTauri (formerly RB) in the championship standings.
“I haven’t witnessed a Sauber participating in this race, but with Sauber, with Williams, and even with Alpine.
“So, you know, it only takes a small amount of effort, and the outcome could be significantly different. Therefore, it’s simply a matter of consistently maximizing your performance throughout the entire weekend, in every session.”
“And thus far, I believe we have been successful in achieving that. Additionally, I have been fortunate in some instances, which is always pleasing. However, eventually, the other competitors will also experience some favorable circumstances.”
“The key aspect is to focus on the development of the car and continuously enhance every aspect,” stated Hulkenberg following the previous race.
When asked about his collaboration with teammate Magnussen, the German driver believes they have established a strong working relationship despite past personal conflicts.
Magnussen complied with a team directive to allow Hulkenberg to pass in Melbourne, while the Danish driver impeded several cars in Saudi Arabia to assist the German in securing 10th place.
“We are functioning as a cohesive unit, like a couple. I believe we both have similar objectives for the car, aiming in the same direction, which greatly benefits the team and allows us to progress harmoniously,” he added. “And yeah, both on and off the track, we have a good rapport.”