Happy Piquet keeps feet on the ground

The GP2 series runner-up was quickest on two of the three days at the British track, as Renault spent time focusing on qualifying set-up work to gauge Michelin's competitiveness over single laps.

But despite just edging out teammate Heikki Kovalainen, and outpacing centre of attention Lewis Hamilton, Piquet insists he is not taking anything for granted about his step up to F1.

"I need to improve in every area with the car and the team," he said. "It was nice to be quick, but it doesn't really mean anything yet.

"I need to develop my driving, do a lot more laps, learn about how you develop a car, and get the consistency I want in my driving. I am only at the beginning of my learning curve."

Although feeling that he must improve, Piquet does confess to the first test having gone as well as he could have expected.

"From my point of view, it couldn't have been better," he said. "All three days went very well, very smoothly. The team was patient with me, gave me time to learn the car, and our working relationship started very well.

"I expected the physical side to be very tough, and I was a bit apprehensive, but my fitness was actually pretty good."