Nick - “I Have To And I Will Do Quite A Lot Of Overtaking Today”

How does racing here this weekend compare to the visit you made a few months ago for testing?

NH: Well, the main thing is we know the car and the tyres better, but of course the conditions are a lot hotter this time around, so that has an effect on the tyres. Pre-season it was much cooler so we had bigger engine power and more downforce, and we were a bit quicker than we are now. However, generally, the car is stronger now and this should help us today.

Yesterday was challenging, ‘one of those days’ if you like – how far can you move up the ranks today?

NH: I’m actually looking forward to the race quite a lot because I have to and I will do quite a lot of overtaking. As we’ve seen before this season, if you have new tyres you can move forwards, and I’ve got six sets (unfortunately three hard ones are not that quick) but my aim is definitely to get into the points.

Not being able to compete in qualifying yesterday, you do (as you say) have those extra tyres – how much will that help you today?

NH: I think it will help me enough to finish in the points, even whilst starting last. We will see how far I go forwards. For pure lap time, it’s definitely better but I do have a lot of cars to overtake so if I can pass them, I will have a good result.