New arrival also downplays team leader role for 2013
Tuesday 15 January 2013 17:06, UK
Nico Hulkenberg doesn't believe that Sauber's chances of building on the progress the team made last season will be compromised by the appointment of a completely new driver-line up.
At 25 years of age, and with two full seasons of racing in F1 behind him, Hulkenberg is being viewed as Sauber's de facto team leader for 2013 given that Gutierrez has only conducted test driver duties at the top level to date. Hulkenberg, however, is unfazed about the prospect of being the more experienced driver in the line-up. "The fact that people are regarding me as the team leader doesn't change much," Hulkenberg insisted. "At the Sauber F1 team both drivers get the same equipment and treatment. I will just work harder with Esteban to bring the team forward." Hulkenberg was speaking in an interview for the first time since joining Sauber at the start of the month, and says that while he's happy with how his early days at Hinwil have gone, it won't be until the new car is tested at Jerez next month that the real work starts. "There are no issues at the moment, it's not until you are out on track, running the car, that you uncover issues or weaknesses," he added. "So Jerez will be the acid test."
