---
title: "Hulkenberg suggests Force India may struggle in 2017"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/12/31/hulkenberg-force-india-may-struggle-2017/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Bethonie Waring"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2016-12-31T10:55:45Z"
modified: "2016-12-31T10:55:45Z"
---

# Hulkenberg suggests Force India may struggle in 2017

Force India impressed everyone with their form in 2016, but will they be able to repeat that in 2017? Outgoing Nico Hulkenberg thinks not.

The team managed beat Williams to fourth in the Constructors’ championship last season, taking two podiums in the process, but Hulkenberg thinks his old team will struggle to match or beat their 2016 effort.

“To move on further, to close the gap in terms of being in the mix with the top three teams, it’s very difficult,” the German told [ESPN](https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/18375914/nico-hulkenberg-force-india-struggle-replicate-2016).

“I think they would need a bit more budget, more resources. I think the people are there, we have a very good team in place at the track, but also back at the factory, so I think that wouldn’t stop it. It’s a huge challenge and it’s not easy.”

Force India have the added variable of a young, fairly inexperienced driver joining the team in 2017. Though Sergio Perez is [confident his new teammate will be able to deliver](https://readmotorsport.com/2016/12/23/perez-confident-ocon-deliver-force-india/) and push him as much as Hulkenberg did, Esteban Ocon is still relatively unknown. His Mercedes backing suggests the Frenchman can race, but he’s yet to really prove that in F1. The lack of two sure hands at the wheel could also cost the team.

![Clive Mason/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2016/12/619011052.jpg)

It wouldn’t be the first time in the modern era of Formula 1 that a midfield team exceeds expectations in one year but couldn’t improve the following year. Williams managed to take third in the constructors’ championship back in 2014, only to slip further and further back in the following two years.

With so many changes coming in next season, it’s impossible to know for sure where Force India will stand at the end of 2017, but Hulkenberg’s switch from the team would prove a smart move if they follow in Williams’ footsteps.