Since his British Grand Prix podium, Nico Hulkenberg hasn’t scored points. His last strong finish was Silverstone, after which results have been inconsistent. In Azerbaijan, he finished 16th, behind rookie teammate Gabriel Bortoleto. Italy was worse for the German, as he couldn’t start due to a hydraulic issue. In the prior three races, he didn’t finish better than 12th. This sparked debate about his consistency, though Hulkenberg’s experience and speed remain intact. Observers have noted that minor margins often decide qualifying outcomes, and Hulkenberg has sometimes been outpaced by mere hundredths of a second.
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Wheatley claims the dip is “Transient”
Sauber principal Jonathan Wheatley insists Hulkenberg’s slump isn’t serious. He says fluctuations are normal, especially in the tight midfield. Wheatley highlighted that small differences in lap times can change grid positions drastically. He sees Hulkenberg’s current results as a temporary phase. The team believes his skill will show when conditions align. Wheatley emphasized that competing drivers in midfield teams often alternate strong performances depending on track familiarity, car setup, and small errors, which can explain Hulkenberg’s recent outcomes.
Impact of the Midfield battles
Sauber sits eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with 55 points. Aston Martin is just seven points ahead, while Racing Bulls hold sixth place, only ten points further up. Haas trails by 11, and Alpine occasionally snags points. In such a competitive midfield, small differences can decide positions. Maximizing performance on any weekend is key. Wheatley suggests Hulkenberg’s recent form is influenced by this tight environment. Even small incidents, like contact with barriers or suboptimal runs, can significantly impact qualifying and race results in the midfield fight.
Comparison with teammate Bortoleto
At the other side of the Sauber garage, second driver Gabriel Bortoleto has recorded three top-10 finishes over the same five-race stretch. This contrast sparked scrutiny of Hulkenberg’s performance. Wheatley explains the difference is partly due to Bortoleto’s familiarity with certain circuits. Hulkenberg’s experience offsets these gaps, and occasional misfortunes like the wall bump in Baku affected his baseline lap times. Wheatley emphasized that one good run can quickly change positions, and Hulkenberg is expected to recover consistency once he strings together proper qualifying laps.
What does Hulkenberg do next?
Hulkenberg remains an asset for Sauber due to his experience and speed. The team is confident he can regain form with the right runs in practice and qualifying. Wheatley said they are focused on helping both drivers maximize performance. Hulkenberg’s ability to adapt and learn from small setbacks will be key. The next races are crucial for him to re-establish momentum. For Sauber, ensuring that both Hulkenberg and Bortoleto extract peak performance is central to improving their position in the Constructors’ Championship and handling the tight competition in the midfield.
