(Sahara Force India Formula One Team)
The Sahara Force India Formula One Team head to this weekend's German Grand Prix at the the Hockenheimring aiming to continue their point's scoring run. The Silverstone based outfit have scored points in every race so far in 2014. Last time out at the British Grand Prix, Hulkenberg finished the race in 8th place as a result Hulknberg is currently in 7th place in the Driver's championship on 63 point's.
Sergio Perez goes to the German Grand Prix having just missed out on scoring points in Silverstone. The Mexican qualified in 8th place but eventually finished the race in eleventh place. The team head to Hockenheim in fifth place in the Constructors championship one point ahead of McLaren Mercedes and 12 point's behind the Williams Martini Racing Team.
Speaking in the build up to his home race Hulkenberg, when told that he is only one of two driver's to have scored point's in every race so far this season said:
'When you say it like that it reminds me how well our season is going. Even on tracks where we have been struggling slightly, we have managed to score points. For example, in Silverstone the car balance was not ideal, but we still came away with four points. I’m feeling more positive about our performance in Germany, especially with the return of the soft and supersoft tyres.'
The German was asked how he feels heading to his home race, where last year he finished the race in 10th place for the Sauber F1 Team to collect one point. Hulkenberg commented on returning home by saying:
'It’s going to be a very big week and I’m looking forward to it. I know Hockehneim really well because it was my local circuit when I was growing up. It’s the track where I had my first car race in 2005 and I also have good memories from Formula 3. It’s always a busy race and the fans make a special atmosphere. They always show lots of support for the German drivers.'
Hulkenberg was also asked about the circuit at the Hockeheimring. The last time he drove there was in 2012 with the Sahara Force India F1 Team. He said:
'For me the trickiest corner is turn one. It’s so quick at well over 200 km/h and there is a curb on the exit where it’s easy to make a mistake and run wide. The other big feature is the hairpin after the back straight. It’s a heavy braking zone and it is easy to run too deep and lose time. It’s also a great overtaking opportunity. The racing is always good at Hockenheim so it should be a good show for the fans.'
Sergio Perez is hoping to get back on terms with Nico Hulkenberg after failing to score point's in Silverstone. He was in action during for the team during the post Silverstone test and was asked if he felt that the test had been productive to which he replied:
'It was good to have the chance to understand some of the issues that affected us during the race weekend. We also tested new aero parts on the car and the team will look at the data to decide whether we use them in Germany. I believe Hockenheim will be a very different situation; it's a track that should suit our car better and we should be in a much stronger position.
Perez scored scored the team's first podium finish since the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix at the Bahrain night race earlier this season and highlight's this as one of his special results of the season. The Mexican said:
'Overall it’s been very positive. I already have some great memories to look back on and some special results, especially the podium. There have been some difficult races, but the overall balance is positive. I would like to have scored more points, but there have been several factors that have prevented me from having a bigger total. The important thing will be to keep improving in the second part of the season.'
Perez believes that the softer compound tyre's coupled with the warmer temperatures expected in Hockenheim will suit the VJM07. He said:
'It looks like a track where we can perform well. With the softer tyres and warm temperatures it’s going to be an interesting race. I like the track, especially the final sector going into the stadium area. I love attacking those corners and you can find a lot of time in this part of the lap. I spent a lot of time in Germany during my career so it’s always good to go back there.'
© Ben Johnston 2014
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