Nico Hulkenberg previews Japan GP: “Suzuka really puts you to the test as a driver”. Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg described the main characteristics of the Japanese track.

The 7th place achieved by Nico Hülkenberg in the season-opening Australian GP remains Sauber’s only top-10 finish in the first two rounds of the championship. For the Swiss team, as well as for the German driver himself, the opportunity to return to the top half of the standings could come this weekend at the Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix.

A track that, due to its characteristics, highlights both experienced and less experienced drivers, but not only that: “Suzuka is one of those tracks that really puts you to the test as a driver,” Nico Hülkenberg explained. “It’s fast, technical, and demanding, which makes it rewarding at the end of a lap. I always enjoy racing here: the fans are among the most passionate in the world. Looking back at the first two races of the season, we’ve had some positives to build on and we know where we need to improve. The goal now is to apply that knowledge in this triple-header and turn it into consistent and competitive performances.”

Just like in Shanghai, Suzuka will be Gabriel Bortoleto’s first-ever experience on this track, as he has never raced in feeder series events at the Japanese circuit before: “The previous race weekends have been great learning experiences for me, and I expect Suzuka to be no different,” said the F2 champion. “It’s a circuit I’ve always wanted to race on—demanding but exciting, with a lot of history, especially for Brazilians. I’ve prepared extensively in the simulator and can’t wait to experience it in real life. The last two rounds have shown me what it takes to manage a full race distance and adapt to different conditions, and I feel like I’m making progress with every session. My goal is to keep learning, improve my pace, and be ready to seize any opportunity that comes my way. A triple-header is intense, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and seeing how much I can improve over the next races.”

The Japanese Grand Prix will also mark the debut of Jonathan Wheatley as Team Principal, permanently replacing Alessandro Alunni Bravi following the official announcement last March: “After meeting our staff at the Hinwil factory, I’m looking forward to joining the team at the historic Suzuka Circuit for my first race and starting to work on our plans for this season and beyond.”