Good-humoured Hulkenberg gets backing: 'He is committed'

Hulkenberg always looks incredibly relaxed on the paddock. Too relaxed? At Haas F1, they don't think so. "Behind Nico's image and personality - with funny interviews and colourful outfits - people sometimes underestimate how much effort he puts in. During our meeting he is always prepared, he has done his work then, he has studied the laps - and also he comes across incredibly calm, he is very dedicated to his work and that pays off," Gannon told GP Racing magazine .

Hulkenberg has critical side too

The routine driver occupies a handsome 11th place in the world championship after 14 Grands Prix. He has already scored 22 points, thanks in part to sixth places in Austria and Silverstone. "I like working with him," Gannon continued; "He is fun and there are lots of jokes. At the same time, he can also get very serious and technical. And he is demanding. It's never like, 'Ah, I wanted you to do this.' It is more like, 'Tell me this', 'Then don't talk', 'Do this after the session', 'I need these papers here' - he is direct and critical. But that is also clear for us and forces us to improve."

According to Gannon, Hulkenberg is a driver who takes responsibility."Every time he makes a mistake, he immediately apologises. It's never like 'I don't know what happened to that car' or whatever - he takes full responsibility and that means we have to do the same. It's never non-committal with Nico. He is very strict and straightforward, but he is also responsible and very hard on himself."

Hulkenberg will leave for the Audi project at Sauber next year, although the team will still be called Stake F1 in 2025.

This article has been written in collaboration with Ben Stevens