Bianchi 'amazed' to get Ferrari test

The 20-year-old Frenchman, who won this year's Formula 3 Euro Series title, has been drafted in by the Maranello-based team for two days at the forthcoming young driver test day at Jerez - and there is a chance that the run could lead to further opportunities with the Scuderia in the future.

Although he has vowed not to let the Ferrari opportunity distract him as he focuses on trying to win this weekend's Macau Grand Prix, Bianchi said on Friday that he was delighted at being asked to test.

"I am really happy," Bianchi told AUTOSPORT. "It is a very good thing for me to drive an F1 car, and especially a Ferrari, because for me it is the best team in the world. I will do my best and just learn, because the most important thing is to learn."

Bianchi said he was almost lost for words by the prospect of getting a first F1 run in a Ferrari.

"Of course it is really good," he said. "For me to drive the first time in an F1 car, and for it to be a Ferrari, it is just amazing. I cannot say any other words.

"I am so happy, yet I would like to be concentrated on the Macau race because it is really important to do a good result here. That is why I am focused on that, and when I get back home I will then concentrate on my test in Jerez."

Bianchi thinks the fact that he will get two days of running will also help him, because it will give him the opportunity to make progress without the need to push too hard too early.

"I will be able to go step by step and learn a lot, because it will be really important to make a lot of laps without crashing and without mistakes," he said. "It means I can go step by step until the last day when I can push a lot."

When asked if he felt there was a chance of the test leading to more opportunities with Ferrari, perhaps as part of the team's new young driver development programme, Bianchi said: "Maybe. Maybe yes, maybe no. It is not sure. First we will do the test and then we will see what will happen."

Bianchi has also paid tribute to the efforts made by his manager Nicolas Todt, who has guided his career through the single-seater ranks.

"Nicolas did everything," explained Bianchi. "If I will do this test it is because of him, because he did a very good job. From my debut in my single-seater career, he helped me to do everything and he put me in every time in the best team. He helped me a lot."