Nico Hulkenberg denies that he has become Renault's number two driver and still has complete confidence in himself.
Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg is very highly rated by fellow professionals, but has still never stood up on the podium.
The German driver has been talking about his and Renault's position this season.
"At the moment, we're still quite far away," Hulkenberg told GrandPrix247.com.
"In Canada, we were lapped by the top six guys, which is obviously a lot, a big gap.
ADVERTISEMENT
"But you need to see the progression since Renault came back. From last year to this, we've made really good improvements."
Since Carlos Sainz Jr's arrival at Renault, it's almost acted as a wake-up call for Hulkenberg to improve his own personal performance.
Hulkenberg denies this, though:
"I don't really agree with that," Hulkenberg claims.
"I think last year, yes, I was more comfortable, let's say I was always clear. But I don't feel that having a team mate closer to you makes you find extra stuff."
ADVERTISEMENT
"Looking back at last year, I'm pretty confident that there was not once instance in qualifying or the race where I underperformed because of that.
"I don't see it because of my own ambition, my own challenge is to always get the best out of me and my car. I don't need someone to push me to do that. I'm German, I'm a machine, I just do my job!"
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
Belgian Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 17.07.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 18.07.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 19.07.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 17.07.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 18.07.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 19.07.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Rumors
Popular on GPBlog
1
FIA issue decision on Ferrari investigation after Belgian GP FP2
1990 times read
2
F1 Today | Antonelli lays down a marker at Spa as Verstappen camp spotted at McLaren
1108 times read
3
FIA hand driver unexpected summon ahead of Belgian Grand Prix weekend
1101 times read
4
Ferrari under FIA investigation after regulation breach at Spa
972 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 179 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 154 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 147 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 108 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 97 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 82 | |
7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 76 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 52 | |
9 | AlpineALP | 42 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 39 |
Loading
