Nico Hulkenberg says 💖he is anticipating a tougher challenge from new Renault team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr compared to previous partner Jolyon Palmer.

The German d🌳river is relishing the chance to race alongside Sainz, who has switched to Renault early ahead of his one-year loan from Red Bull for 2018, havi🔥ng spent the 2017 campaign with Palmer as his team-mate.

While Hulkenberg produced a clean sweep in head-to-head qualifying performances in 2017 at Renault, beating Palmer 15-0, the German driver also thoroughly outperformed his former team-mate𒊎 in races with six points finishes to the British driver’s one.

With Sainz impressing at Toro Rosso, the German driver has scored 14 fewer points so far this campaign&nbs💛p;than the Spanish driver and is confident the pair will be a strong match for the remainder of the yearౠ and heading into next season.

“I definitely expect a harder time than so far this year,” Hulkenberg said. “Sainz has got a few challenges on his plate, changing teams right at the🦋 back end of the season is not the easiest situation with a lot of new things he has to get used to like♛ the car, the team and the people. I am sure he will be on a decent level straightaway.

“I look forward to working alongside him and obviously there are f⛎our, intense and iꦚmportant races ahead of us. We need to focus and do a good job.”