Hulkenberg Aims to Double Down on ‘Promising’ Friday Pace Before Abu Dhabi Showdown
The sun is setting on another Formula 1 season, and down in the paddock at the Yas Marina Circuit, the mood is usually a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. But over at the Kick Sauber garage, there’s a different energy brewing this weekend. It’s the feeling of a team that might have just found a hidden gear right when they needed it most.
After a heartbreaking ending in Qatar last week, where an early wreck put a damper on a solid points run, Hulkenberg wasted absolutely no time shaking off the dust. The German veteran came into the season finale with a point to prove, and if Friday’s timesheets are any indication, he’s dialed in.
It wasn’t just a lucky lap, and it wasn’t a glory run on empty tanks. Hulkenberg parked his machine in the top five not once, but twice, showing the kind of raw speed that reminds everyone why he’s been a fixture on the grid for so long.
Hulkenberg Stuns with Top-Five Speed on Opening Day
Friday practice is often a game of lies. Teams hide their true pace, run heavy fuel loads, or test experimental parts. But fast is fast, and P5 is impossible to ignore, especially for a team that has been scrapping for every inch of tarmac this year.
Hulkenberg rolled out for Free Practice 1 and immediately looked comfortable. While half the grid swapped in rookie drivers for the opening session to give the veterans a break, Hulkenberg used the track time to get aggressive. He found a rhythm around the marina that stuck.
When the sun dipped below the horizon, the floodlights bathed the track for FP2. This session actually mimics qualifying conditions. Everyone expected the big dogs like McLaren and Red Bull to swallow up the midfield. They didn’t. Hulkenberg held his ground, posting another P5 finish. It was a clean, smooth day at the office, the kind that builds absolute confidence in the cockpit.
“I hope so that’s the target and the ambition, to hang onto it,” Hulkenberg said when asked if this speed was real enough for Saturday. You could hear the cautious optimism in his voice. He knows the track evolves, and he knows the competition will turn up their engine modes tomorrow. “Obviously, many drivers didn’t get the FP1 session, so I’m sure they will have a bit more of a learning curve than us overnight, but things felt promising.”
A Surprising Sweet Spot for the Sauber
What’s making the car sing this weekend? According to the man behind the wheel, the track layout might be playing into their hands. Yas Marina is technical. It’s got those tricky low-speed sections where mechanical grip is king, and aerodynamic efficiency takes a slight backseat compared to high-speed sweepers.
“Maybe slightly surprising,” Hulkenberg admitted about the pace. “Obviously, there’s a bit more low-speed content, which I think is not so bad for our car, but you never know until you run.”
That’s the racer’s mentality: never trust the data until the rubber hits the road. For a driver like Hulkenberg, having a balanced car underneath him on a Friday allows him to sleep a little easier, knowing he doesn’t have to chase a setup headache overnight.
Bortoleto Proves It’s No Fluke
If you needed more proof that the Kick Sauber garage has found some magic, look at the other side of the garage. Teammate Gabriel Bortoleto wasn’t just riding around; he was pushing hard. The rookie clocked in P7 in the first session and improved to P6 in the evening, shadowing Hulkenberg on the timing screens.
When both cars are firing on all cylinders, it proves the setup baseline is solid. It’s not just one driver outperforming a bad car; it’s a good car giving both drivers the confidence to attack the kerbs.
However, Bortoleto is keeping his feet on the ground. “It’s just Free Practice,” the Brazilian noted, playing it cool. “There are a lot of people around that are also quick and super-close, so it’s not going to be easy.”
The Fight for Points and Paydays
Let’s talk about why this actually matters. We aren’t just turning laps for fun; there is serious money on the line. Kick Sauber is sitting in P9 in the Constructors’ Championship, staring at a five-point deficit to Haas. In the world of motorsport, climbing one spot in the standings can mean millions in prize money.
To catch Haas, they need a miracle on Sunday. But miracles start with track position. If Hulkenberg and Bortoleto can replicate this Friday’s pace in Qualifying, they put themselves in a position to capitalize on any chaos in the midfield.
“It’s nice to be quick on Friday, but it’s more important to have it tomorrow when it matters,” Hulkenberg said. He’s been around the block enough to know that trophies aren’t handed out for practice sessions.
Final Thoughts
The garage is currently ablaze with rumors, and the drivers are confident that the car is fast. Now, they just have to execute when the pressure mounts on Saturday. Can they get it done? Stay tuned.
