Gonzalez pleased with his performance at Mugello despite lack of running

The Venezuelan, who had tested for the team when it was Lotus last year, admitted however that he was frustrated by the lack of running after torrential rain hindered the teams' progress.

Gonzalez completed 35 laps in Caterham's new chassis on his way to the ninth fastest time of the day.

The 25-year-old said he was satisfied with his work despite the poor weather conditions.

"In the rain it was a little bit difficult to adapt but in the dry obviously after four or five laps I started adapting to the car and starting getting on the limit," said Gonzalez. "I'm sure we would have put some new tyres, some softer compounds if I had a few more laps, and I would have been even faster.

"The team seems pretty happy, satisfied. They all told me that I did a good, solid job, and that I was sensible and that I didn't put the car at risk. So I'm definitely satisfied with what I did. Had the conditions been better and with more running it would have been better. But for what we had I'm happy enough."

Gonzalez, who races for Caterham in GP2, conceded he was at pleased to have at least managed to do some running given the forecast said it would rain in the morning too.

"It could have been worse, because you saw how much it rained in the morning, and it could have been the same in the morning. You saw the forecast was the same for the morning," he said.

"So in that aspect it's a little bit frustrating that we didn't get more running, which I would have liked, but it could always be worse. I'm sure I'll have more day in a Formula 1 car this year and next year. This is motor racing. It happens."