KEY POINTS:
Brendon Hartley became the first New Zealander since the early 1980s to be eligible for a Formula 1 Super Licence during a successful test with Red Bull Racing at the Jerez circuit in Europe.
The Palmerston North 19-year-old was exhilarated at the end of his first public test session in a Grand Prix car. He covered 83 laps of the 4.4km Spanish circuit and was quickly up to speed and showing his potential.
"I'm feeling pretty happy because I made no mistakes and I was setting consistent lap times; I think the team were pleased with my speed and the feedback I was giving the engineers," said Hartley.
"Formula 1 is obviously a lot faster than what I'm used to; there are a lot of new things to think about in controlling the car and getting your brain up to speed.
"There's a lot to learn with all the control systems operated by hand from the steering wheel and I was a bit nervous before the start. But I was able to adapt quickly and get my brain up to speed for the fast reaction times.
"My lap times improved steadily throughout the day and I was pleased how soon I had the feel of the car and could drive fast and consistent laps."
Hartley ran new tyres in the early sessions and by lunchtime was second fastest, less than a second behind Sebastian Beumi in the other Red Bull car.
"I felt good in the car. There's a lot going on; but I was personally pleased with how it went," said Hartley. "My overall impression was just how fast a Formula car goes, the corners arrive very quickly.
"I had a bit of cramp in my legs at one stage and at the end of the running I was feeling the effect of the high G forces in my neck muscles, but apart from that it was all good and I'm happy that I've ended the test feeling so positive.
"Formula 1 testing isn't just about the lap times, it's about developing and improving the car, so it was good that I gained my self-confidence quickly and was running competitive times."
Earlier this year Hartley did solo shakedown testing and demonstrations in F1 cars for both the Toro Rosso and Red Bull teams but the Jerez testing was an intense full day of running alongside other Formula 1 teams.
The incident-free first outing at an official F1 test session means Hartley has achieved the high standard required for the world governing body (Federation International Automobile) to consider an application for a F1 Super Licence.
The last New Zealand driver to achieve F1 status was Mike Thackwell in 1984.
Fastest time during the Monday test at Jerez was set by regular Red Bull test driver Sebastian Beumi, the Swiss driver recording 1m 17.704s. Beumi has been testing for Toro Rosso and Red Bull in Spain for the past two weeks.
Having been on the pace from the outset, Hartley ended the day third fastest with a time just three-tenths of a second slower than 2008 Grand Prix front runner Nick Heidfeld.
The German driver's best for BMW-Sauber was 1m 19.223s while Hartley's fastest lap time was 1m 19.58s in the Renault-engined Red Bull car.
Hartley now moves on to the Valencia circuit in Spain to continue testing a Formula 3 car for his 2008 Carlin Motorsport team. An announcement about his 2009 racing programme is expected within the next two weeks.
