• Bahrain Grand Prix

More potential in Sauber - Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg: "It is a top ten car and I think we can develop it in to a consistent points-scoring car" © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• Bahrain Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Nico Hülkenberg

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo

Nico Hulkenberg is "absolutely confident" there is more potential in the Sauber C32 to challenge higher up the grid.

Having qualified in tenth place, Hulkenberg actually led part of the race in China last weekend before eventually slipping back to finish tenth. Having not started the opening race in Australia, Hulkenberg has just five points to show from the first three grands prix but he says there is more to come from the current car.

"It's a car with potential I think," Hulkenberg said. "It is a top ten car and I think we can develop it in to a consistent points-scoring car; I'm absolutely confident and sure about that. There is potential sitting there but now it's our job to extract it and to get it out of it, but we're definitely not at the end in terms of development with the car.

"We have some bits and bobs to test for tomorrow; aerodynamically and on the floor area. So we've got to try them out tomorrow and hopefully they are as good as the China package."

With Hulkenberg's time in the lead in China making him the driver with the most laps led over the last four races, he admitted that it's a nice statistic but one which ultimately hasn't helped his results.

"It's nice, definitely. I won't deny that it's a good feeling and very nice to be leading a grand prix; it shows that you must have done something right, absolutely. Still it was only a tenth place at the end of the race on Sunday, it's not that you get more points or something - it's not a bonus - but it's definitely a good sign, I would say."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.