Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg has said that his performance in qualifying for Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was one of his best drives of the season.

The German was sixth fastest in the top 10 shootout for pole position, but will start fifth after Kimi Raikkonen was sent to the back of the grid after his floor failed scrutineering tests.

He told Autosport: "I have a lot of confidence in the car.

"The relationship with my engineer is better, everything is bedded in now in terms of being smoother. Those tiny details make a difference.

"I think the long run pace was very decent, similar to Ferrari and McLaren so I don't think we have to hide tomorrow."

Hulkenberg has been heavily linked with a move to Lotus to replace the Ferrari-bound Raikkonen.