Nico Hulkenberg looked remarkably quick on the opening day of action at the Yas Marina Circuit for Haas, finishing FP2 with the third-fastest lap after putting his car in “a happy place”.
In his final Friday outing for the American team before he moves to Kick Sauber, the German driver dialled in the VF-24’s performance to slot in behind the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
FP2: Norris leads team mate Piastri and Hulkenberg during second practice in Abu Dhabi
He finished 0.462s off the pace set by the papaya team, providing a glimmer of hope for Haas’s aspirations of ending the season sixth in the constructors’ standings – they need to outscore their nearest rivals, Alpine, by six points this weekend.
He had another strong result in the day’s first practice session when he clocked the sixth-fastest time, albeit narrowly behind Pierre Gasly who has scored the majority of Alpine’s points this season.
