Nico Hulkenberg said Haas will “try to fight everyone off” in Sunday’s Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, having qualified a superb sixth place.
The German veteran overcame challenges the American outfit faced in practice to line up on the third row of the grid as the highest-placed Ferrari-powered car, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz ninth and 10th respectively, the latter crashing, bringing out the red flag.
Hulkenberg stated his run was “very smooth,” and that he “had a good feeling in the car”, adding “obviously the two red cars had problems, that’s why it’s P6 and not P8, but still, even P8 and 5th fastest team, we’ll happily take it, because yesterday things were looking a bit more challenging.”
When asked if Haas could maintain its qualifying pace in the race and fight for a similar position to the end, Hülkenberg was optimistic.
The German acknowledged the history of chaotic events on the Marina Bay Street Circuit that could alter proceedings.
“When you start P6, we’ll try to fight everyone else off,” he said. “It’s about good race execution, strategy.
“We know historically safety cars, VSCs, at various times can turn things upside down, so we’ve got to be lucky as well, stay clean, do a good job, and hopefully we can clean it up tomorrow.”
Nico Hulkenberg: New DRS will ‘make a difference’
A key factor in Hulkenberg’s race will be keeping the likes of Ferrari behind, with Leclerc and Sainz enjoying the added benefit of a fourth DRS zone in Singapore this year.
The activation of the newly formed DRS runs from Turn 14 through to Turn 16 and Hulkenberg believes it will “make a difference,” adding, “I think it will promote and help overtaking.
“It depends a little bit how bad the deg is. If it’s not that bad, maybe not so much of a difference.
“If the deg is bad, maybe it will open up changes.”
Hülkenberg has made a habit of finishing on the periphery of the points in 2024 with seven 11th-placed finishes.
Still, his qualifying prowess and haul of 22 points have contributed well to Haas’ tally of 29, which sees the American outfit sit seventh in the Constructors’ standings.
Haas is 13 points ahead of Williams and both of the Grove-based outfit’s drivers qualified outside the top-10, making a points finish vital for Hulkenberg.
READ MORE: F1 2024 Singapore Grand Prix – Qualifying Results
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