Nico Hülkenberg: At Haas “the tree is burning a bit”

(Motorsport-Whole.com) – From Nico Hülkenberg’s perspective, the Austrian Grand Prix was a condensed abstract of his 2023 season to this point: extraordinarily sturdy in qualifying, with P8 on Friday and P4 on Saturday, however then considerably much less aggressive within the races. Within the Grand Prix on Sunday he retired with hydraulic harm, within the F1 dash on Saturday he saved sixth place, primarily because of a tire change on the proper time, after having began sensationally in second place.

The truth that Haas has an issue with tire put on is “fairly apparent,” explains Hülkenberg in an interview with ‘ServusTV’. He says: “After all, Günther (Steiner, crew boss; editor’s observe) and crew administration are a bit on hearth, and we want an answer there.” (The entire interview with Nico Hülkenberg is now available as a video on the Formel1.de YouTube channel!)

“Now we have to show that now. That is our large activity, which is not simple and the place there is not any general answer one way or the other in a single day,” says Hülkenberg, understanding that it’s going to “take longer” as a result of: “There is no band-aid sufficient. We want a bit bit greater than that.”

“The great factor is that we perceive the issue. Now it is time to discover a answer. And there are completely different approaches, completely different concepts. The crew is working flat out on it. However I feel it should take a couple of extra weeks – a minimum of till after the summer time break – earlier than we actually take a big step there.”

Haas should “again to the drafting board”

Crew boss Günther Steiner signaled weeks in the past that the problem of tire degradation at Haas is one that’s forcing the engineers again to the drafting board. Which means that fast adjustments to the set-up usually are not sufficient. As a substitute, conceptual adjustments are wanted to get the issue beneath management.

Hülkenberg explains: “We do not have the sources, we’re not a producer. Now we have a small workshop and we really purchase all the pieces from Ferrari that is attainable and allowed. We do the remaining along with Dallara. After all that is not the case a powerhouse like the highest groups. And naturally we do not have the perfect technicians both. They’re with the highest groups.”

“If we get by means of that this yr, that might be enchancment from final yr,” says Hulkenberg. “After which after all we’ve to place out feelers for subsequent yr and give attention to one thing higher.”

Arduous work behind the scenes

The crew and he work “loads behind the scenes” for this, says Hülkenberg: “Not solely earlier than and after the race, but additionally between the races we’ve had loads of conferences in the previous couple of weeks to one way or the other sort out this downside, options to look and make a plan. That is what we will do now.”

“As a result of it is bitter while you’re so good on Saturday and never so good on Sunday. The practice goes utterly within the incorrect route, and that is occurred to us 5 or 6 occasions now,” he says.

The whole interview with Nico Hulkenberg (15 minutes) can now be seen on the Formel1.de YouTube channel. (Subscribe to the channel now for free and never miss a new Formula 1 video again!)