Nelson Piquet Jr. is confident that his second season in Formula One will be "easier" after a trying rookie campaign with Renault.
Brazilian "much more comfortable" heading into second season
Nelson Piquet Jr. is confident that his second season in Formula One will be "easier" after a trying rookie campaign with Renault.
Although not expected to match double World Champion Fernando Alonso in 2008, the difficulties the Brazilian had in adapting to racing in the top flight were such that there was even talk he might be replaced midway through the campaign.
However, three points-scoring finishes in four mid-season races, which included a second place in the German Grand Prix, went a long way towards securing his future.
The 23-year-old is now hoping that greater familiarity with his surroundings will allow him to give a better account of himself in 2009.
"I know this season will be easier for me as I'm feeling much more comfortable in the team, I know the circuits and how to approach a grand prix weekend," Piquet told Renault's official website.
"I'm sure it's going to be much easier for me to handle everything. I'm going to start 2009 where I left off in 2008 and determined to improve race by race."
Piquet Jr. added that his goal for this coming season was to match Alonso's achievement of last year and claim fifth place in the World Championship.
"I would love to be in the top five in the Drivers' Championship," he said. "That would be excellent, but obviously it's going to depend on what the car is like."
