Nico Hulkenberg admits he is feeling the growing presence of Daniel Ricciardo at Renault.
In China, the Australian produced his first good weekend with the Enstone-based outfit, finishing ‘best of the rest’ in P7 both in qualifying and the race for the first time.
Until that point, it had been Hulkenberg who had largely had the upper hand over Ricciardo, even if results hadn’t really shown it, but now the German fears that is changing.
“Daniel still needs to get used to the car, to the team,” he told Sky Sports.
“He’s still getting used to it, finding his feet but I have no doubt he’s going to give me some trouble very soon.”
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Further frustrating the ‘Hulk’, however, is Renault’s poor engine reliability as he retired again in Shanghai with what was the third MGU-K failure of the year for the French power unit.
“We really have to get on top of these things, because we’re costing ourselves results, experience and points,” Hulkenberg lamented.
“I think we know that we have homework to do on that side. We need fixes rather sooner than later.”
Despite the issues though, the 31-year-old is still enjoying life and has big aspirations at Renault.
“I’m in a good position with Renault and hopefully we can collectively improve this car and as a team really get to the front by next year or two years’ time,” he declared.
“Certainly I’m having a good time. I’m enjoying myself and I’m in a good position. Of course I would love to battle for victories and be up the front but it’s always about where can you be, what are your alternatives.
“Just being out there racing and competing with the other guys, racing, it’s good fun and it’s very enjoyable at the moment.”