In an interview with the media today, Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg admits Force India are going through a “hard time.” with the team being down on pace and with no end to their woes in sight just yet.
From the very start of the year, it was apparent that Force India were in trouble as financial issues meant they did not run their 2015 car until Day Two of the final pre-season test. And although the car was immediately reliable, it was down on pace.
The season though still began on a high note with a double points-finish in Australia – but only 11 cars finished the grand prix. As their rivals kept their cars in grands prix, the points dried up with Force India failing to score in Malaysia or China.
In his interview with the media today, Hulkenberg admits that the situation at the moment is very difficult and that they will have to wait to see if things will improve. Hulkenberg stated the following:-
‘It’s actually quite a difficult situation. We are going to have to wait some time for improvements, so it is a hard time. It’s never been like this in my career before.’
As Hulkenberg says it is a difficult situation for himself and the team at the moment and they are doing the best job that they can with what they have currently at their disposal. but all they can do is develop and improve the car as much as possible until the VJM08-B arrives for the Austrian GP. Even though Hulkenberg hasn’t suffered this situation in his career so far; this will only inspire and motivate him further to make improvements and will also learn from this experience too.
In the latter stages of his interview, Hulkenberg knows this is not where he needs to be but is making the best out of a bad situation. He added the following:-
‘Of course I’m not where I want to be, but you also have to put things in perspective. There are many drivers who have been in this situation, so how unprofessional would it be if, after one month of the nine, you stick your head in the sand after three races?’
Hulkenberg sums it up for me. Even though he hasn’t been in this situation in his career before, all he can do is make the best out of the situation and use this to motivate him going forward into the remainder of the season ahead while also learning from this experience. As he rightly points out, many drivers have experienced this in their careers and many have reacted differently to himself but he understands that this is not the right way to approach things.
i truly hope that Hulkenberg is rewarded for his hard work and his patienece during this difficult time for him and the Force aindia team. I truly hope that the VJM08-B is the step up that they need to get to where they belong; which is fighting in the midfield as quickly as possible.
There is one thing that is clear; Hulkenberg does not deserve to be in this position and deserves a car that can help him realise the potential and talent that we know he is capable of reaching.
But this experience will only help him as a driver; but will also make him a better one and the rewards when they do come will only be more sweeter than ever.
Images courtesy of the Sahara Force India F1 Team
