Hulkenberg sees Haas as Renault's biggest threat

Nico Hulkenberg believes that Haas are his team's biggest threat and plays down the challenge from McLaren and Force India.

Renault driver Nico Hulkenberg believes that Haas are Renault's biggest competitors in the 'best of the rest' category this season, disregarding challenges from the likes of McLaren and Force India.

The French car manufacturer currently lead the mini-league - with a nineteen point gap between themselves and Haas, with McLaren and Force India trailing Haas.

Hulkenberg believes that Haas' recent form is very impressive and the German is now wary of the US outfit.

"It looks like it now, since the last couple of weekends," Hulkenberg said to Crash.net when asked about the threat caused by Haas.

"I think it's shifted around with Haas coming through more and McLaren seem to have lost out a little bit. We take them seriously because they are fast."

Haas' car, the VF-18 has impressed this season - powered by Ferrari and driven by Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean.

The pair have made several mistakes this season - mostly by the Frenchman - meaning they are not higher up in the constructors' championship.

"How they got there doesn't really play a role for me, they are strong at the moment and we just have to deal with it," Hulkenberg said.

"They fulfilled their potential (in Austria), whereas before they've really missed out.

"The momentum sometimes swings around, but at the end of the day they have a strong car and a good package."