Since claiming a breakthrough podium at the British Grand Prix, it has been tougher going for Nico Hulkenberg.<\/p>\n
That Silverstone result marks the last time the German veteran has finished in the points, prompting suggestions he\u2019s entered a form slump.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Wheatley insists Nico Hulkenberg\u2019s form dip is \u2018just a transient thing\u2019<\/p>\n
Hulkenberg finished just 16th in Azerbaijan, five places behind his rookie Sauber teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto.<\/p>\n
The 38-year-old failed to take the start in Italy after a hydraulic issue ended his race before it had begun, while he\u2019d finished no better than 12th in the three races immediately prior.<\/p>\n
In that same five-race period, Bortoleto has recorded three top-10 results for a total of 14 points.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a question I\u2019m being asked more and more often now,\u201d Sauber team boss, Jonathan Wheatley, said of Hulkenberg\u2019s form.<\/p>\n
\u201cI personally don\u2019t feel there\u2019s any fundamental issue here.<\/p>\n
\u201cNico is a tremendously experienced and fast racing driver. And many, many times he\u2019s been outqualified by a thousandth, or hundredth. Do you know what I mean? It\u2019s not always like a big thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead, Wheatley suggests Hulkenberg\u2019s fluctuating fortunes is a reflection of the competitive midfield battle.<\/p>\n
Sauber sits eighth in the Constructors\u2019 Championship with 55 points, just seven shy of Aston Martin, which is in turn only 10 in arrears of Racing Bulls in sixth.<\/p>\n
More on Sauber<\/p>\n
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