If Daniel Ricciardo had not won the Chinese Grand Prix through some terrific driving and team strategy, Nico Hulkenberg would have been my driver of the race. Hulkenberg had no less than six passes and yet again, out performed his teammate, Carlos Sainz.
I’ve been speaking about the difference in pace between Hulkenberg and Sainz and I am not quite sure what Carlos is struggling with regarding this year’s Renault car. To be perfectly honest, having seen Carlos attack the car and remaining three races of 2017, I thought Nico may have entered this season with a real challenge if not a sobering fact of getting beat by the Spaniard.
That’s not what’s happened so far and it and while I have always rated Nico very highly, I guess it shouldn’t be any surprise. As a fan of Nico’s since he entered F1, perhaps I wasn’t giving my guy enough credit.
I was incensed when McLaren passed on Nico and used the excuse that he was too tall. I also have heard all the comments about his being a difficult personality and not easy to work with or the best on car set up but in the end, he’s delivering. He’s risen to the challenge of Sainz and more.
According to Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul, Nico has some margin over Sainz.
“It’s fair to say he [Sainz] has a bit of a margin compared to Nico, but that does give an indication of how strong Nico is,” said Abiteboul.
“It’s always interesting to follow the change of team for drivers, because by comparing one to the next you can establish an overall comparison between the grid.
“If you remember what Carlos was doing against Verstappen, that does give an indication of how strong Nico is actually.”
Not quite sure how Cyril came around to the thinking of pinning Carlos to Max’s pace and then…POOF!…you have Nico measured on the Max Meter but for me, beating your teammate is what matters and I think we already know Carlos is a mighty opponent.
For me, Nico is among the top drivers in F1 and I’m more interested in his performance against champions, not 20-year-old up and coming drivers. Nico has been at this a while and the way he fights Fernando Alonso for best of the rest as well as Ricciardo, Vettel and Hamilton all add up to a guy, given the car, would be a fierce competitor. IT’s a long season, though, and as Nico himself says, don’t praise him too soon.
“I do feel that with all the seasons I’ve done, the experience, I’m doing amongst the best driving I’ve ever produced.
“So far I’m happy, but don’t praise the season too soon.”
I still think Carlos will overcome his current slump and I won’t rule anything out given his talent. I said that Renault made the best choice they could when they hired Nico and while the world talks about Daniel Ricciardo to Ferrari or Merc, there could be three seats open at top teams. Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren may all have spots open and if I were a team boss, I would look very closely at Nico.
Hat Tip: Autosport
Hulkenberg has unfortunately spent too long in non-front running cars, so he has been passed over for top drives by younger, newer drivers who have a steeper career trajectory. He may have to wait and hope that the team develops into a front running outfit to show his true potential (much like Button did). At least the weight changes due next year should mean he isn’t penalised because of his height.
Agree with both of you. I remember watching him drive in A1 and couldn’t wait for him to enter F1. He’s a true talent but yeah will have to wait for the Renault to come on song.
Not true. Can we get off the Hulk hype train? First you have to beat your teammate. He hasn’t done that since like 2013. Checo has out performed Nico in terms of points and ability to get on the podium. What is it about Checo that prevents people from giving the man his due? I still believe McLaren did not really give Checo a fair crack at it. They just used him and his funding as a stop gap before Alonso arrived. Hulk is a good driver, but there are better. Lets see what the numbers say at the end… Read more »
I’ve written A LOT about Checo and spoken at length about him and his first year and the Monaco GP. I think my respect for him is relatively well documented so perhaps we two are fans of his but I’m also a fan of Hulk. He’s had ups and downs and I would agree with you that hype isn’t quite needed. To Dave’s point (MIE), I completely agree that a top ride may have passed him by due to the rumors I mentioned and his ups and downs but that’s why I said that Renault hiring him was the best… Read more »
Pérez is another driver who has been passed over thanks to F1’s obsession with youth. However in his time at McLaren he was beaten by Button, and as you say the only real comparison that can be made is between team mates.
The apparent changes in the relative performance of some drivers so far this season has been one of the real points of interest. Hulkenberg showing Sainz the way – unexpected. Raikonnen out qualifying Vettel – didn’t see that coming. Bottas out qualifying, and out racing Hamilton – unbelievable! Magnussen hammering Grosjean- awesome, but against the previous form. Ricciardo out driving the young phenom (again) – loving it. :-) There is obviously something about this years cars and tyres that has stirred up the relative performance of a number of the drivers. That is great for the likes of Hulkenberg who… Read more »
formula 1 OTT service to debut at the Spanish GP
I’m genuinely curious why you keep posting irrelevant news? What’s the OTT service got to do with a story specifically about Nico???
You are correct the much awaited F1 LIVE OTT feed has nothing to do with the subject. I am very sorry and apologies for having irritated and upset you by the much awaited news.
When you have news that you want to discuss that doesn’t fit with the topics on the main page, start a discussion on the Forum. That is what it is there for.
MIE. How does one go ahead and start a new discussion on the main page guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Go to: Forums, All Forums.
Select an appropriate area (e.g. Formula 1, F1 Pictures)
Select ‘Create New Topic’
Give your topic a title and then post away.
Occasionally, Todd has published articles written by non-staff members under the Marbles section. In that case you would need to email him directly and ask if he would entertain an article on your chosen subject.
Thanks for your troubles.
Yeah…that news broke on the 13th. He’s done it in other articles so excuse me for noticing someone repeatedly posting old irrelevant news. But I can see how folks can miss that if they get their F1 news only from comment sections.
As I said I got the launch date/place confirmation in a tweet late yesterday, the tweet is from a reliable and serous source who is not known for wasting time repeating things.
It appears I’ve hit a nerve. You just got confirmation yesterday from a tweet on a story that’s 7 days old??? OK buddy. Keep digging those heels in. I’m not trying to grill you or have in mal intent but I would double check on that source giving you such old news. Kind of defeats the reliable claim.
Possibly not relevant to this topic, but its certainly been a subject of relevance to NC and other TPF members, especially those in the US.
TPF doesn’t provide a way for members to post news that will readilly be seen by others, so posting in current topics seems a reasonable and helpful thing to do.
Does that address your curiosity?
Thanks JAKO. I got the news late yesterday via tweet which added, F1 partnering with NBC playmaker. Instagramplanet, CSG and OSTmodern and TATA. Will be available in English, French and Germanto start with. Will future live races and all 20 driver on board cameras, as well as side-by-side live race viewing and additional exclusive feeds. Subscribers will be able to personalize the way they watch a GP, The content they view and how and when they access it. All practice, qualifying and races will be offered live, along with press conferences and pre- and post –race interviews. Later in the… Read more »
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/headlines/2018/4/formula-1-to-launch-f1-tv-at-spanish-grand-prix-in-may.html
I am a bit confused as to why you are posting news about this here and suggesting we don’t provide news like this. I wrote an article about it back on April 13th when the news came out:
https://theparcferme.com/f1-tv-to-launch-for-spanish-gp/
well, well, well. All I can say is egg, meet face :). Sunny, Jako; I await your spin :D
As I already said/declared/admitted, the much awaited F1 LIVE OTT FEED “CONFIRMATION” by LM that I posted has/had nothing to do with page subject. And for that grave error of mine I declared that I am sorry and apologized for having irritated and upset you and some others. If after all said it have to be eggs on face, so be it, no problem with me, here is my face pushed humbly forward to receive my deserved punishment for my grand error. Having said all that, I would like to stress that I, my intentions were honestly that of being… Read more »
It would be more appropriate to put comments in the correct topic.
https://theparcferme.com/f1-tv-to-launch-for-spanish-gp/
The ability to distinguish between intentions, planning, cancelations and “confirmation” or lack of it according to what suites once agenda. 2017; LM plans to move to more pay TV. 2018; Spain winter testing, announced launch of OTT F1 TV at first GP of season. 2018; in the week before first GP, OTT F1 TV launch canceled, needs fix and testing, intends to launch ASAP. 2018 April 13; to launch OTT F1 TV at Spanish GP. (NC announces to his TPF community LM’s statement of the same date). 2018 April 21; Due to the launch of OTT F1 TV having had… Read more »
Hi Arrow044, I’m genuinely curious about your stated lack of ‘mal-intent’. Several of your comments appear to be unnecessarily snarky.
That’s not generally how people behave on TPF. Its generally more about sharing information, in a friendly way, than points scoring.
JAKO. Are you addressing me?
Hi Sunny, definitely not, you’ve been bending over backwards to avoid causing offence. I’ve clarified that the question is to Arrow044
Thanks JAKO. I will be honest with you, I was initially in shock.