Hülkenberg Sure Force India Will Improve

German Force India driver Nico Hülkenberg experienced quite a number of ups and downs since he returned to Formula 1, driving for the Silverstone-based team. Hülkenberg, who lost his Williams in 2010, lies 16th in the driver standings, but is sure that the squad will improve.

Statistically the Vijay Mallya-run operation is having its best ever season, even though the team languishes eighth in the Championship after targeting a top five placing at the start of this year's campaign. This is due to the improvements of Williams and Sauber.

Speaking to the official F1 website, the German said: “Although we improved our car, we have to be realistic. Pace-wise we are still behind Sauber, Williams and all of the front-runners. This means that we have the chance to beat Williams, Sauber or Mercedes when our weekend goes completely smoothly and they struggle. In qualifying this happens more often, but in the race they have 50, 60 or 70 laps to get their faster cars in front of ours, so our race pace actually shows us where we really are.”

Hülkenberg, who has an impressive early career before coming to Formula 1, remains positive about an uplift.

When asked if a recovery is possible with nine races remaining, he replied: “Of course. We already showed last year that our development speed is very competitive and I do not see a reason why we shouldn't be able to repeat that again. We're only seven points shy of Williams and I think we can catch them. I don't know whether it’s possible to catch Sauber, it will be difficult, but the whole team will try their very best, that´s for sure.”