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I'm not team leader - Hulkenberg

ESPN Staff
January 19, 2013 « I considered quitting - Massa | Alonso wins ice karting double »
2013 will be the first time that Nico Hulkenberg has more race experience than his team-mate © Sutton Images
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Nico Hulkenberg says he doesn't regard himself as the team leader at Sauber despite Esteban Gutierrez's inexperience.

Gutierrez steps up from the reserve driver role at Sauber and has only taken part in one Friday practice session in his career so far. With Hulkenberg moving across from Force India and set to begin his third season in Formula One he has been seen as the team leader for Sauber but he insists that's just a title given to him from those outside the team.

"The fact that people are regarding me as the team leader doesn't change much," Hulkenberg told the official Formula One website. "At the Sauber F1 team both drivers get the same equipment and treatment. I will just work harder together with Esteban to bring the team forward."

Hulkenberg was also keen to temper expectations after Sergio Perez said Sauber would challenge for race victories this season.

"I want to build on the good basis they had last year and keep working hard from there. Of course I am looking for good results - in that sense the team and I are already looking for the same thing. It´s a new season so we have to wait and see how things pan out and how strong our package is on the track."

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