Red Bull warned by Hülkenberg: "Mercedes is working hard and successfully"

Nico Hülkenberg is enjoying the first half of the Formula 1 season. The German would have loved to drive himself, but in 2022 he will have to make do with a role as test and reserve driver at Aston Martin. In his opinion, all aspects of the premier class of motor sport have improved over the past six months.

"The field is much closer together in this season and statistically there are way less lapping events than in previous years, more overtaking and sometimes the chance of a real counterattack if you have been overtaken shortly before. The qualifying sessions are also exciting this year with results very difficult to predict sometimes," writes Hülkenberg in his column on his own LinkedIn page.

Mission accomplished?

Yet even the 34-year-old driver from Emmerik has to admit that Ferrari and Red Bull Racing have managed to build up a lead quickly, making the situation for the victories basically the same as it was last year. Back then, it was also two teams that ruled the roost in motorsport's premier class.

"I am sure that some people of F1 and FIA had expected more balance here," Hülkenberg says. Behind them, though, it's wildly exciting and makes for very exciting battles. "Behind the two teams it has been very close and the battles for podiums and points have been exciting with different outcomes."

Mercedes to report at the front

Red Bull and Ferrari are supreme for now, but the man who has never won in 181 Grand Prix appearances predicts that is about to change. "Yes, you’ve read it correctly, I am sure that the field will be even closer together in the future. Mercedes is working hard and successfully to reduce the lead of Ferrari and Red Bull. In Silverstone, they were close to their first victory, and in France they scored their first double podium this year. In the second half of the season, we can expect some exciting three-way battles between the three top teams," concludes Hülkenberg.