Nico Hulkenberg is feeling the benefit of a full week’s preparation after a stronger Friday at the 70th Anniversary Grand Prix.
The German was only confirmed as remaining with Racing Point for a second weekend in the morning after Sergio Perez again tested positive for Covid-19.
But fresh with a very cool new helmet and eager to put last Sunday’s Did Not Start behind him, the Hulk was in the top six in both sessions at Silverstone, albeit still three-tenths down on teammate Lance Stroll.
“I’m feeling a lot more confident in the car,” said Hulkenberg. “It helped that I was able to be in the simulator last week to prepare for the weekend.
“I’m much more familiar with how the team works and more up to speed behind the wheel.
“It felt like a routine Friday and I was able to extract the pace of the car much more quickly today, which is a big positive.
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“I’m pleased with today because we were able to try a few things with the set-up of the car and it helped me adapt to the car,” he added.
“We were then able to work through today’s programme effectively, which gives us a good starting point for the weekend.
“I felt there was pace to be found on the medium tyre because I didn’t have a totally clean lap and I left some time on the table at the final corner, but all in all it was a positive Friday.”
Certainly, the on-track performance provided a welcome distraction for Racing Point, who will look to recoup the 15 points they’ve been deducted after the stewards upheld Renault’s protests regarding their brake ducts, having been found to have breached the regulations on listed parts.