Hulkenberg qualified seventh at Spa behind the six drivers from the three pace-setting teams, and gained a place in the race when Max Verstappen retired.

This was the second time in three races that Hulkenberg's Renault finished as best of the rest behind Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, following his sixth place at Silverstone.

"It's given me good confidence," said the German. "I think we can't afford to stop working, we need to keep on making steps and improvements, because I'm sure the others are pushing still.

"And looking ahead to the future, we want to close the gap to the top three teams.

"We need to keep that development coming, it's very crucial for us. I'm not so sure about Monza, but after then I think we can have a couple of really good ones."

Hulkenberg admitted that he had not expected to have such a strong race at Spa.

"Obviously we gained that position with a DNF [for Verstappen], but these are the days when you have to be there, and you have to make it stick as well.

"I'm happy and positively surprised, to be honest. Fourth best team with my car pace once again, so pretty good."