Hulkenberg targets ‘the next step’

Gearing up for his second season back with Force India, Nico Hulkenberg is hoping the continuity will pay dividends as he looks to take another step forward.

The 27-year-old returned to Force India last year having spent the previous season with Sauber.

Although needing to once again familiarise himself with the team, he started the season with a run of ten races inside the points.

That ended with a retirement in Hungary with Hulkenberg scoring five times in the last nine races.

This year Hulkenberg is expecting even better now that he once again feels at home with the team.

"It makes a big difference not having to adapt to new surroundings," he said during Wednesday's livery launch.

"It means you don't have that learning period when you have to get to know the people and adapt to the way a team works, so I think it takes the pressure off a little bit and you can focus all your energy on driving and improving the car."

The German finished last year's Championship ninth in the standings with 96 points, a tally he is hoping to better this season.

He added: "It was the best year for me in terms of points, and in terms of the team, so hopefully it can be better.

"So I'm really excited to be part of Force India and to hopefully take the next step."