Jolyon Palmer now says ‘standout’ driver has shocked everyone with his qualifying pace

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Jolyon Palmer has said that Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg has been absolutely amazing in qualifying this season.

Speaking on the F1 Preview Show ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Palmer discussed the Haas drivers.

The American team made a change in the summer to let Mick Schumacher go.

After two seasons with the team, the young German was replaced by a much more experienced one.

Nico Hulkenberg returned to the grid full-time after being the sport’s go-to driver if there was an absence.

He was called upon five times in three seasons and that was enough to convince Haas to partner him with Magnussen this season.

So far, it’s proved to be a wise choice, with Hulkenberg outscoring the Dane this season.

Palmer has admitted that there’s a lot of respect around the paddock for Hulkenberg’s qualifying performances.

Unfortunately, he’s only been able to convert his two top-ten starts into points on one occasion.

Palmer hails Hulkenberg qualifying performances

Speaking about the 35-year-old German, Palmer said: “I think K-Mag [Kevin Magnussen] was coming under a bit of pressure because Haas obviously signed Nico Hulkenberg.

“K-Mag and Mick Schumacher last year were actually fairly even second half of the season.

“Hulkenberg comes in the other car, and he’s really quick and he’s really showing that.

“His qualifying performances have been standout so far in the rest of the field.

“Ask anyone in the paddock who’s been the best qualifier outside of your obvious contenders, it’s Nico Hulkenberg, getting that Haas into Q3.”

Formula 1 is increasingly becoming a sport full of racing veterans.

Fernando Alonso is still going strong in his forties, and Hulkenberg’s return has only increased the average age of the grid.

Hulkenberg has impressed Palmer, and his one-lap pace in qualifying is dragging an average Haas car up the grid.

The perfect circuit for those skills to potentially pay off are in Monaco.

It’s by far the hardest track on the grid to overtake, so if Hulkenberg can work his magic on Saturday, he could score some decent points.

With four teams still yet to reach double figures this season, that would be a great result.