Nico Hulkenberg has suggested the 2017 Formula 1 cars have not been as difficult to drive as some expected claiming the experience has been “more fun” behind the wheel.
The introduction of the wider, faster designs with fatter tyres was meant to see lap-times some five seconds per lap quicker than previously but the realisation has been somewhat less with most circuits only seeing around a three-second improvement year-on-year.
Much of the improved performance has come from higher cornering speeds which it was believed would test drivers more physically due to the higher G-forces but, after completing more rigorous training in the pre-season and now half a year to adapt, the German feels little difference compared to 2016.
“They (the cars) seem a bit more edgy. I’ve seen many races this year races, like Baku [where Hulkenberg crashed], where there is very little room for error,” he claimed.
“So if it goes wrong, it goes very wrong. But I didn’t find too much difficulty, too much change.”
Hulkenberg also feels the impact of the new cars on the racing has been more positive, despite some concerns about overtaking, with drivers able to be more aggressive.
“It is definitely more fun and definitely faster,” he said. “I can only talk about myself, but they allow me to push harder, they are a bit more in favour of my driving style compared to recent years.
“You always had to drive within yourself as you couldn’t explore the limits, you couldn’t push as hard and these cars are in favour of that. You can go there easily and it works. So definitely more enjoyable.”
The 29-year-old, who turns 30 later this week, has had a largely positive first year with Renault, after joining from Force India in the winter, scoring all of their 26 points and showing better competitiveness in recent races, including an excellent sixth at the British Grand Prix.
