Piquet expecting equal treatment

Alonso outqualified Piquet at every race in the Brazilian's rookie season, and there was often a large margin between them on Saturdays - although Piquet tended to narrow the gap in the Grands Prix.

Despite being overshadowed in 2008, Piquet said the experience of driving alongside Alonso had been good for him.

"In the first year it was only good for me," he said. "Obviously I had a teammate that was very strong and I had to push myself very much, but I could really see where I had to push myself and when I was quicker that I was in a good position."

Now Piquet expects to be a closer match for Alonso - and for the team to give him an equal opportunity.

"I think in the second year it will be tougher because now is the point where the team will have to give the same chance to both drivers and with all this testing system right now, where we are only allowed one car and limited days, that's going to be a bit tricky," he said.

"How are you going to judge which days for which drivers? Hopefully we will be able to equalise both drivers having the same amount of testing. And again there is strategy and all these kind of things.

"Last year was my first year and I was learning, and obviously once in a while we would give priority to Fernando because he had a better chance of winning the race or being more in front.

"Now I think the team will have to play on both sides and try to give both cars exactly the same conditions. The second year is going to be tougher."

Piquet added that he expected to be much stronger in his second year, admitting to having been overwrought on occasion in 2008.

"The first to the second season makes a huge difference, both by knowing the tracks, and also being more relaxed, having done 18 starts already, knowing the procedures," he said.

"I remember the first race in Australia - I'd had a problem in qualifying and I was started at the back, but I was still quite nervous. Now I have done all these starts through the year, it's going to be much more relaxed.

"I will be able to think about other things and not be worried about things that shouldn't bother me with the car. It's going to be a much easier season."