Ambitious German Hulkenberg hopes for best F1 season Today

Force India Formula driver Nico Hulkenberg of Germany Germany's Nico Hulkenberg has big ambitions for the new Formula One season when he wants to make the podium at last in a steadily improving Force India team. "I want to make this my best season in F1: in terms of points and my position at the season's end. And I want to push myself on to the podium - hopefully and finally!" Hulkenberg said in an interview published Friday on the F1 website. Force India got their best result in fifth place in the constructors' standings last year and Hulkenberg was 10th in the 2015 drivers' list behind teammate Sergio Perez. Hulkenberg has been racing in F1 since 2010 and believes that Force India can make another step forward in the next campaign which starts in March. "I believe that we will be competitive again in 2016 ... From what I have seen of what the team is doing and developing, I think we can challenge for good results - probably even better than in 2015. Hulkenberg also made headlines last year by winning the famous Le Mans 24 Hours sports car race in his debut in a Porsche together with Earl Bamber und Nick Tandy. But he won't be able to defend the title because it clashes with F1 racing this year. "I must admit Le Mans was very special," he said. "What happened in Le Mans is a good example that shows the power of sport. Nothing is really impossible. Le Mans was not just about the title but also about the emotional experience that came with it for me - that there is still the 'winning gene' within me!"