SEPANG: Nico Hulkenberg is feeling the Bahraini atmosphere in Malaysia as he returns to the track where he scored his first Formula One World Championship points 16 years ago.
Unlike the usual race at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), this year’s return sees the circuit converted to the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, and the 39-year-old Hulkenberg is impressed with what he has seen so far.
"It’s a great job from the organisers. There’s the Bahraini feel here, in the paddock as well. From the furniture, the staff, everything. So good job on their side," said the German driver.
"For me, I’m happy to be back here. I scored my first ever Formula One points here back in 2010, and I’m really looking forward to it."
The Audi driver first raced at SIC when he was with the Williams outfit, finishing the race in 10th after an impressive eighth-place start on the grid, and has since raced each year until the last race in 2017.
Hulkenberg knows the circuit well, but is also well versed in the challenges that it will demand from the drivers.
"It’s a technical and flowing track. Medium, high-speed corners but a couple of low-speed ones as well," he said.
"I think the tarmac is also quite rough and demanding. So come Sunday, it will play a role.
"And of course, the weather here can be the odd monsoon shower that appears quite quickly."
Hulkenberg has only gotten three top-10 finishes this season, but hopes they can get close once again after finishing the race in Baku in 11th with big updates to the car.
"I think we can get in the points here. We obviously need to do a good job with no mistakes.
"I think in Baku the problems were in the straights and regarding straight-line speed, which is extra crucial and critical here.
"So I’m optimistic that we can be competitive and squeeze ourselves into the points again," he said.
