Klien Finds Simulator is No Substitute

Jaguar's Formula One newcomer Christian Klien faced up to reality on Friday with his first taste of the Australian Grand Prix circuit.

"I think the time spent in the simulator at the factory practising in Albert Park was time well spent but there is no substitute for the real thing," said the Austrian after clocking the 17th best time.

"The track is very, very bumpy and very dirty. You don't expect that and it's very difficult to learn the circuit. But today was like a test day, just running around."

The 21-year-old, who had one small spin, was the quickest of the three rookies in action but that was no surprise with Italians Giorgio Pantano and Gianmaria Bruni driving for Jordan and Minardi respectively.

New regulations limiting teams to one engine per driver per weekend, with a penalty of 10 places back on the starting grid for anyone having to replace an engine before qualifying, made life tougher for the newcomers.

Klien completed a total of just 27 laps to preserve the engine for qualifying and Sunday's race.

"Normally you can do a lot of laps but with the new engine rules, you have to save the engine miles," he said. "You have to learn the track quicker and find the set-up quicker so it's all more difficult for a new driver.

"But to go out of the pit lane and there are lots of spectators and it's all new - it's a great feeling," added the Austrian who until last December had never been outside of Europe.

"You can't expect it. It's amazing," said Klien, who can expect to be overshadowed in his race baptism on Sunday by home favourite and teammate Mark Webber. "For the first race, the aim is just to finish. I think that's the most important thing for this weekend."