How Hulkenberg inspired Racing Point upgrade package
Feedback from reserve driver Nico Hulkenberg helped to inspire Racing Point’s recent Formula 1 update package, technical director Andrew Green has revealed.
Hulkenberg gave his views on the RP20 when he drove Sergio Perez’s car at the British and 70th Anniversary GP weekends in August.
That in turn fed into the team’s development programme, the fruits of which have been seen in recent races as a new package came on stream.
Ironically those changes then made life difficult for Hulkenberg when he returned to the team for the Eifel GP as a last minute sub for Lance Stroll, as he had to adjust to a car that had changed substantially since he last sampled it.
“Some of the developments that we put on the car were as a direct result of his feedback in Silverstone,” said Green when asked by Motorsport.com. “Which was really interesting. So his feedback after the race today was very intriguing.
“He mentioned things [at Silverstone] that he would like to be changed in the car, and how we go about setting the car up and the feel he gets from the car.
“And we made those changes after Silverstone not expecting him ever to get back in the car again and drive it. But lo and behold, he does, and we get the feedback about the developments we made on the car. So that was really interesting, and really important.”
Green agreed that Hulkenberg needed time to adapt to the modified car when he drove it at the Nurburgring.
“These sort of changes we're talking about, you can't adjust to them in four laps, which is basically what he had to do on Saturday afternoon. He had four flying laps, and for him to adjust to the changes that we've made since Silverstone was going to be nigh on impossible.
“So he needed time in the car, which is what he didn't have, but by the end of the race, he’d had plenty of time in the car. And his feedback was invaluable. Which was very good.”
Green said that Hulkenberg was able to confirm that the team had made the correct choices.
"Yes, effectively. Still work to do. But I think we made a good step in the right direction. That is all part of the rear suspension and front suspension changes that we made, which were as a direct result of him driving the car in Silverstone."
Expanding on the overall package, Green explained: “We pulled together all the updates that we planned to do into a significant update for the car.
“And that included front wing, front brake ducts, floor, rear wing endplates, and you can see the sidepods, bodywork. So that was the aerodynamic aspect.
“And we did a lot of work on the internals of the rear suspension, and the way that the suspension works, to give us more flexibility, and more options on the rear suspension set-up.
“And also a change to the steering system, as well. All of those updates came between Mugello and Russia, really.”
Related video
Binotto says upgrades show Ferrari heading in right direction
Pirelli finalises plans for 2021 F1 tyre test at Portimao
Why 2022 could be Leclerc's best chance to end his Monaco F1 curse
Charles Leclerc's ill-fortune at his home Formula 1 race is well-established. But his single lap pace and over longer runs during Friday practice will leave the Ferrari driver upbeat that he can make up for his Barcelona disappointment by finally recording a finish and perhaps even banking 25 world championship points in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix...
The inevitable consequence of the Liberty F1 popularity boom
Sell out crowds at Formula 1 races are the norm rather than the exception these days, as grand prix racing is enjoying a massive boom under Liberty Media. But the Spanish Grand Prix highlighted numerous issues some circuits may face as demand for F1 soars
The danger for Red Bull in its Barcelona F1 team orders choice
OPINION: Red Bull walked into a team orders saga on its way to taking a Spanish Grand Prix 1-2 last weekend, where it took the lead of the 2022 Formula 1 world championships for the first time. But its decisions have added an element of risk to later races.
Why Mercedes' Spanish GP gains aren't as grand as they seemed
Mercedes' strong showing in last weekend's Spanish Grand Prix prompted team boss Toto Wolff to say it had halved its deficit to the leaders and its Formula 1 title chances were back on after a rocky start to the 2022 campaign. But a closer inspection of the team's performance suggests its gains aren't as grand as they first appeared
What's next for the Green Red Bull controversy?
From the 'pink Mercedes' to the 'Green Red Bull', the Silverstone-based team has received suspicious glares from up and down the Formula 1 paddock over its car design exploits. But after being cleared by the FIA over its Spanish Grand Prix updates amid a backdrop of cries of foul play, what's next in this saga?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
In an unusually hectic Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc was denied a dominant performance by his Ferrari engine letting go which allowed Max Verstappen to pick up the pieces. But numerous flashpoints kept the race twisting and turning throughout, with one perfect score from an emerging contender
How Verstappen overcame his and Red Bull’s errors to win in Spain
Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari engine disaster offered an open goal for Max Verstappen and Red Bull to strike, but the reigning Formula 1 world champion still had to solve multiple errors and profit from a begrudged assist from team-mate Sergio Perez, which created an unexpectedly eventful Spanish Grand Prix
Why Red Bull can win a Spanish GP that looked perfect for Ferrari
Formula 1's return to Spain on Friday ended with Ferrari leading the way from Mercedes, while Red Bull could only manage third fastest overall courtesy of Max Verstappen. But its chances of victory are far from remote with a deeper dig into the times despite Ferrari's strong start...