Grapevine: Albuquerque happy with F1 run

Albuquerque, who currently drives for Epsilon Euskadi in the World Series by Renault, was called to fill in for Michael Ammermuller, who is still recovering from a swollen wrist due to an incident in the GP2 season-opener in Bahrain.

"When I learned I was coming here to drive the car I was very happy, of course," Albuquerque told autosport.com after driving the RB1.

"I wasn't worried really because this is what I've been training myself for everyday. The ride was a bit bumpy, but it was normal being a street-course.

"The power was incredible. I was spinning the wheels so much that I thought I was wearing out the tyres. Had there been more grip on the street I probably could've gone a lot faster. I was in sixth gear and the power kept coming like if I was in first.

"I had some wheelspin on fourth but then on fifth and sixth gear I couldn't reach more than 245 km/h. There were a few bumps and the wheels were on the air a few times so that was as quick as I could go this time."

The 22-year-old Portuguese believes his run - despite being just an exhibition rather than a proper test - could boost his chances of moving up the Red Bull Junior Team ladder, which currently sponsors 18 drivers from Formula BMW to GP2.

"Yes, for sure," he added. "There are many steps you have to make to get to Formula One. I've already driven the car so the next step, which is closer now, is testing for the team.

"Hopefully after that, maybe in one or two years I can be racing in Formula One."

Albuquerque is currently seventh in the World Series by Renault standings after being fourth and sixth in his first two races of the year at Monza.