Vasseur happy they landed Hulkenberg

Frederic Vasseur

Renault Team Principal Frederic Vasseur says the squad has acquired "one of the very best drivers" available in Formula 1 after signing Nico Hulkenberg on a long-term deal.

Hulkenberg, who has spent his Formula 1 career in the midfield with Williams, Force India and Sauber, will move to Renault next season, as the outfit bids to make progress after a difficult 2016.

Vasseur oversaw Hulkenberg's development en-route to Formula 1, when the German drove for his ASM and ART squads in Formula 3 and GP2, winning both titles along the way.

"I think for us he's certainly one of the very best drivers on the market," Vasseur is quoted by InfoSport+.
.
"I knew him in the past in the lower categories, he is a driver who has won everything from Formula BMW to F3 or GP2.

"Nico is at a point in his career where he realizes that he needs to work with a manufacturer [team] and there are not that many in Formula 1."

Vasseur is also hopeful that Renault will be able to finalize its full 2017 driver line-up within the coming weeks.

"Signing Nico was an important step for us," he commented.

"Now we will enter the thick of it to sign the second driver. It's a matter of days or weeks maximum."