Piquet wants points finish in Australia

The Brazilian will be making his Grand Prix debut in Australia with the Renault team after having spent 2007 as their test driver.

Piquet has never driven at the Melbourne circuit before, but he says he has worked as hard as possible to make sure he is ready for his debut race.

"It is a new circuit for me and I hope that I can find my feet quickly," said Piquet. "I feel I have done everything in order to be ready, but the only way to get fully prepared is to do laps on the circuit.

"Only then can you really have an idea of the layout of the track, how to use the cubs and the best lines.

"I need to work well with my engineers to set up my car and then I need to get the best of it. I'm very competitive and I would like to score points in my first race, but I recognise that these things can take time. Above all, I want to approach this first race calmly, one step at a time."

The 22-year-old, who will partner two-time champion Fernando Alonso, concedes he has a lot to prove this season, but he feels well prepared.

"I had the opportunity to do many laps this winter, so today I am physically prepared, although I have my doubts as to whether the Malaysian Grand Prix will be as easy," he said.

"As a team we have gone through the different procedures that I will have to deal with during races, because racing is different to testing and I know that I will face new pressures.

"I think that I am ready, and above all I am looking forward to the start of the season. I have worked all my life to get here, and it is a great feeling to be starting my first race in Melbourne. I'm conscious that I have a lot to prove this year, but I'm determined to do my best."