Seventh place in Istanbul and six points for the team. What are your thoughts on the race?
NH: It was a good race, we had a good pace. I think that, overall, we have the speed to fight with the leading teams. If we manage better qualifying sessions, we will definitely have good chances on Sunday. That’s my main goal now.
You did the pre-season tests in Barcelona and have raced here many times in your career. Do you enjoy the Circuit de Catalunya?
NH: During the tests, we had modifications on the car on certain days, other days it was other teams that arrived with new parts. So it was difficult to draw conclusions from all of that. This time, we are bringing innovations that will help us gain performance. It’s part of our aggressive and continuous development strategy. Additionally, we will not waste time getting into the rhythm because the team knows the circuit well. Teams that use a simulator will not have a big advantage here.
Do you have any special racing memories on this track?
NH: In the past, I’ve experienced some great races in Spain. It’s a challenging circuit and it’s interesting to return there. I have several memories, particularly one: a battle in the pit lane with Jenson Button. We were exiting the pits at the same time, side by side, both at the highest speed allowed in the pit lane, and I believe I came out just ahead, right under his nose!
The tire degradation in Turkey has been very significant. As a driver, how do you think you can limit this factor on the track?
NH: With the new Pirelli tires, there’s not much you can do to limit the impact of degradation from the driver’s perspective. That said, the positive point is that the R31 is relatively gentle on its tires compared to other cars. I think the driver can influence this factor by making good use of their car, but the most important thing is primarily the setup. If the car is well-prepared in advance, then it can put us in a good position.
You are currently seventh in the drivers’ championship. How far can you go with the R31 this season?
NH: This season requires a genuine collective and personal effort. I will need to focus to maximize it, but I believe it’s a bit early to talk about the final positions in the championship. Nico (Rosberg) is only one point behind me now, and Mercedes has significantly improved in the last two races. But we scored as many points as they did in Turkey, so we can stay ahead. The Ferraris are not far, Felipe (Massa) has finished two races behind me and he doesn’t have much of a lead over me in the championship. Also, my goal is to overtake him in the standings very soon.
According to a statement
