Autosportfoto

F1 US GP: Hulkenberg: Renault move is right step for my career

Nico Hulkenberg says he is excited at the prospect of 'building a new success story' with Renault following confirmation that he will join the French manufacturer for the 2017 Formula 1 season.

Announced ahead of this weekend's United States Grand Prix from Austin, Hulkenberg will exit Force India at the end of the season to head up the French firm's renewed F1 constructor effort in 2017 as part of an anticipated multi-year deal.

His first opportunity to race with a full factory team since making his F1 debut in 2010, Hulkenberg is relishing the chance to lead a former title-winning outfit in 2017 even if he is under no illusions as to challenge it faces in returning to competitiveness

"We know there's still a long journey ahead of them to climb back to the top because it's been a difficult year and where they've come from, when they bought Lotus last year, it was not the easiest situation.

"So it will take a bit of time to rebuild the team and get back to the top but obviously what I see there is a good future, definitely is a big challenge, a good challenge, and I want to build a new success story with them."

Having previously plied his F1 trade with Williams, Sauber and Force India, Hulkenberg admits the opportunity to join a full factory team was a crucial factor at this stage in his career.

"I think them being a manufacturer, they are under some expectations to be successful and be at the front and compete for wins and that's obviously what I'm looking for.

"I believe it is the right step in my career at this point. I think and feel I have come a long way with Force India, it's my fifth year and we had good success together, but time for a new challenge. Since I was in F1 I wanted to race for a manufacturer team and this is a really good opportunity, the timing was good too. A good decision from my side." 

Zdroj: crash.net