Alguersuari treating GP as test

The 19-year-old Spaniard admitted after qualifying that he was still some way from his limit and that the 82 laps he completed during Friday's testing took a physical toll on him.

But the reigning British F3 champion added that he had been happy with his progress so far, despite an engine problem in qualifying relegating him to last on the grid.

"I feel free," said Alguersuari. "Free of charge and I feel this is testing. Tomorrow there are 19 cars which are racing and one that is testing, which is me. I have this philosophy.

"In qualifying I was not nervous because I knew what I could do. I knew if I was not doing a good enough job. I am learning. But I did a good job so I am happy."

By qualifying for the Hungarian GP, Alguersuari became the youngest person ever to do so, but he said this record was not important.

"It means nothing to be the youngest driver to drive F1 cars," he said. "It means a lot to be that close in the times, in means a lot to do a good performance, which with such a short time in the business is a good thing. Obviously being the youngest ever F1 driver, you can come here and crash at the first lap, it means nothing.

"I have reached my first target which was no mistakes through practice and qualifying, the next one is to finish the race. Then I want to keep making steps up until one day I hope to win the championship."