Piquet aims to learn from Australia errors

The Renault driver endured a disappointing Formula One racing debut, qualifying at the bottom of the grid before retiring from the race after a low-key performance.

"That is not how I had imagined my first Grand Prix would unfold, but I knew that it would not be easy and I was prepared for it," said Piquet in a team preview ahead of this weekend's race in Sepang.

"I did little running during Friday practice and that complicated things for the rest of the weekend.

"However, I learned a lot and I now know what a Grand Prix weekend is like - it passes very quickly and you need to be able to get comfortable straight away.

"I am now looking forward to the next race in Malaysia, so that I can put into practice all that I have learnt from my first race."

Piquet, who has raced before in Sepang during a round of the A1GP series, is hoping to get more running and qualify strongly.

"I hope that I can make more progress. In Melbourne I did little running in practice, my qualifying was disappointing and at the start of the race my car was damaged and I had to retire - it was therefore difficult to make much progress at all.

"I hope to be in a position in Malaysia to have a strong qualifying session so that I can have a good race and continue my apprenticeship. Each race will be the opportunity for me to learn and progress."