Nico Hulkenberg says taking up the lead role at Sauber will only add to his motivation to do better next season.
The German, who has just completed his second full season as a team driver, will join the Swiss outfit from Force India next year partnering rookie Esteban Gutierrez.
The 25-year-old doesn’t believe such a role will bring added pressure though as he simply aims to “deliver good results” for the team.
“I feel ready for that,” Hulkenberg said of taking the helm at Sauber. “It’s not a case of bringing extra pressure, it’s something that helps motivate me even more, but to be honest I don’t see my role as much different to the one I was in this year,” he told the official F1 website.
“I will simply concentrate on my job of trying to deliver good results.”
Hulkenberg believes he’s made a step forward during his second season, but admits there is more to come once he’s settled into his new surroundings.
“I think that I have made a step forward during the year as a driver, especially in qualifying,” he added. “It might sound a bit simple, but mileage – race mileage – is what makes a big difference in the end.
“I am changing teams so there will be a ‘getting to know each other’ phase but I am confident that this will go smoothly.”
