Bottas admits mistakes are inevitable in rookie F1 season

Williams's new driver spent 2012 in the reserve role and drove in Friday practice at the majority of grands prix.

But he underlined that actually contesting races in F1 will be a different matter and he did not expect a flawless debut.

"Even though I was at all the race meetings last year and had some practice and now some testing, it's still my first race," said Bottas.

"If there are mistakes, that's how it is. I need to learn from them and not do it again.

"I feel really good about going to a race. I really don't see there being any problem. Of course everything happens quicker in Formula 1, but that's just how it is. You have to have your first race at some point."

Bottas added that he was taking a long view of his debut season and just wanted to ensure that he was maximising the car's potential as soon as possible.

"My goal is to at some point, and hopefully as quickly as possible, get the car where it belongs in qualifying and the race," he said.

"If that's not the case in the first races, then I just need to learn and to fight my way to getting better.

"I was at quite a good level in other categories in races. I've seen it's so important to see the flag and finish in F1, so that will be the main thing this year.

"It's about the whole season. Of course I want to do well in Australia, but I have the whole season so I have some time to improve."