Nico Hulkenberg has told fans they can expect Formula 1 cars to be "pretty damn fast" in 2022 amid suggestions that the new regulations will lead to slower speeds and a more "challenging drive".
Hulkenberg was one of Aston Martin's test drivers in 2021, and after getting behind the wheel of the team's 2022 challenger in the simulator, the German driver says the new car is "not necessarily slower than the last generation".
However, Hulkenberg adds that he hopes to be "positively surprised" when the car is finally ready for pre-season testing.
Sharing his thoughts on business networking site LinkedIn, Hulkenberg wrote: "They aimed [the car] to be a bit slower, more challenging to drive, to have more focus on drivers that can make a difference rather [than having] car performance and aerodynamics dominate. However, from my initial experience, the new cars are pretty damn fast and not necessarily slower than the last generation.
"The driving experience hasn't changed that much either, at least in the simulator. It will be very interesting to see whether these cars can really follow the car in front better. In the simulator, the cornering speeds are extremely high, so the risk of "dirty air" is still given, and it's difficult for me to imagine that following another car comfortably at these speeds will be easy.
"Anyhow, I hope we will be positively surprised. Once pre-season testing starts, drivers and teams will find out how the cars really behave on track."
