Hulkenberg: “Force India can beat Williams in the championship”

Nico Hulkenberg believes Force India has the potential to beat direct rivals Williams in the constructors' championship this year – and he hasn't ruled out Sauber either.

Although Force India has had a slow start to this season, the team has made good progress with its VJM05 so far – both Hulkenberg and teammate Paul di Resta have shown good potential in recent races.

Force India is just seven points behind Williams in the constructors' championship and Hulkenberg thinks further progress will help it leapfrog its rivals.

“We have already shown last year that our speed of development is very competitive and I don't see a reason why we shouldn't be able to repeat that again,” he told the official Formula 1 website.

“We are only seven points behind Williams and I think we can catch up with them. I don't know if it will be possible to catch up with Sauber. It will be difficult, but the whole team will do their best, that's for sure."

Sauber is currently sixth in the constructors' championship with 80 points, ahead of Williams on 53 and Force India on 46.