Nico Hulkenberg interview: "The focus now is to earn more points"

SINGAPORE – SEPTEMBER 21: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Force India drives during practice for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2012 in Singapore, Singapore.

Nico Hulkenberg is a German driver who races for Sahara Force India in the F1 circuit. This tall, lanky 25-year-old raced for Williams in 2010. His junior carting career has been very impressive and he also won the GP2 seroes Championship in his debut season.

We managed to catch up with Nico after he set the fastest lap at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Q1.What do you have to say about the finish?

It was a tough race for me. Things didn’t fall quite [as] much in place for me and then I was stuck behind Kimi (Raikkonen) and Michael (Schumacher). Here there are 23 corners on the track and it’s one of the longest races of the year, always close to the two-hour limit. So you certainly feel it after the race because of the high temperatures and humidity. It feels bad to have missed out on the points but I am positive of doing good in the next race.

Q2. You set the fastest lap [at the Singapore Grand Prix]. How do you feel about that?

Well you see my car had a good pace but I din’t get much opportunity to show that.

Q3. This has been a good month. First you finished 4th in the Belgian Grand Prix and now Paul (di Resta) here.

Yeah we got some good results which will keep us in the hunt for the championships. [The] focus now is to earn more points.

SINGAPORE – SEPTEMBER 21: Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Force India drives during practice for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 21, 2012 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

Q4. Are you looking forward to the Indian Grand Prix?

Yes I am really excited. Its going to be a tough one and crucial too. We’ll be hoping to earn some good points there. Hoping for good performance in Japan and Tokyo too.

Q5. You started your career with Williams in 2010. Pastor (Maldonado) won a race for them. Do you regret not being in Williams now?

Haha well I am a bit jealous of Pastor. However Williams is my past and I am with Force India now so no regrets for me.

Q6. Do you think you or Paul can make a podium finish by the end of this year?

That will be a dream come true and both me and him are definitely working hard to achieve it. F1 is unpredictable and so I can say yes on some day everything might go right for me and you’ll see me standing on the podium.