Nico Hulkenberg claims he can only focus on optimising his own performance at Renault, as he prepares to take on Daniel Ricciardo.
The two drivers form arguably one of the strongest line-ups on the grid this season, with both looking to push the French manufacturer back into race and, ultimately, championship-winning contention.
For Hulkenberg, however, how he fares against the Australian is something many are keen to find out having had a career of near-misses.
“I think it’s just important for me to have a good year,” he told GPFans.com when asked if he’d rather end his wait for a podium or outscore Ricciardo.
“You say it like it sounds so easy – ‘outperform Daniel’ – yeah easy! We’ll see how things go. I want to make sure I perform at my best level and only I can feel and say this was everything I can get out of it.
“Usually before in my career when I did that it was enough to beat the other guy. This year’s a new guy next to me so we’ll see how it goes. I just want to satisfy myself and the team and pay back the trust Renault have put in me.
“The other things you mentioned they will come or not come. It will depend on ‘are we competitive enough, yes or no?’ It’s not something you can steer directly.”
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Hulkenberg then opened up on the relationship he and the former Red Bull driver have formed both before and since Ricciardo moved to Renault.
“We’ve had a good couple of laughs already, I look forward to starting work alongside him,” the German said.
“For sure [it will be] a tough year for me, a tough opponent, tough teammate but I’m looking forward and excited for the challenge.
“He’s a cool guy. We’ve known each other for a long time and we’re both experienced enough. We know how to cope with things in and out of the car, but outside the paddock, we’ve known each other for a few years and sometimes do stuff so it’s all good.”
