“We just managed to take the momentum and the tailwind from last week into this weekend,” added Hulkenberg, who claimed P6 in the Austrian Grand Prix. “Plus I think the upgrades we produced yesterday afternoon in [Free Practice 2] did the rest and they really had an effect. I really felt a gain with them straight away, which was obviously very good and not always the case.
“So good job to the team and very happy about that. Quali was good; Q1 was a little bit too close for comfort with only one lap and the red flag with Checo [Perez] and our timing, we got a little out of sync with everyone else. That was a bit sketchy but otherwise a good clean session.”
READ MORE: Verstappen reveals extent of damage after Q1 off as Perez apologises for ‘letting my whole team down’
Asked if he was feeling especially confident behind the wheel of the VF-24 currently, Hulkenberg – who departs the team for Kick Sauber at the end of the year – replied: “To be honest, I feel a lot and good confidence, so that allows me to produce the laps. Even if I only have one, they come out pretty well, which is obviously good.
“I enjoy that feeling; I always try to hold onto it for as long as possible. I know it’s not always like that, so you have to use it while it lasts!”
