Maldonado positive over Williams car

The GP2 champion drove the new FW33 for half of today's session, completing 29 laps on his way to the 11th fastest time of the day.

"It was great, especially the feeling of the new car," Maldonado told reporters at the end of the day. "I'm working on understanding the car, and preparing myself for tomorrow and for the season.

"I'm getting more confident lap by lap. I feel really good."

He added: "The feeling was really good. I adapted myself really good to the new car today, especially for the first laps. The car was really great. For sure we need to keep working to adapt the car more to my racing style and maybe to adapt myself to the car too, so we'll see. We didn't run too much. Tomorrow it will be all day."

The Venezuelan also reckons he can benefit from the experience of team-mate Rubens Barrichello, especially until he gets used to the demands of F1.

"He's the most experienced driver and that could help me a lot especially at the beginning of the season. His experience can make a difference," he said.

"I only need to learn and to understand the car more, but I can say I feel very good inside the team. I'm happy because everything is running well."