• Young Driver Test Day 1

Da Costa focused on learning from Red Bull

Antonio Felix da Costa had a busy schedule and completed 79 laps - the most of any driver on day 1 © Sutton Images

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• Teams:
• Red Bull

Antonio Felix da Costa said that his focus during the Young Driver Test is to learn from Red Bull rather than look to impress.

On the opening day of the test in Abu Dhabi da Costa was second quickest, just 0.066s off the fastest time. Having been at the grand prix for the whole weekend awaiting his chance in the RB8, da Costa admitted it would have been easy to be over eager on track so his focus had been on how the team worked during the weekend.

"It's moments like that you have to keep cool because you're here for such a long time then when you get in you just want to do it and you have to keep cool because it's easy to shunt it," da Costa told ESPN exclusively. "But I took the weekend as more of a learning process - how the team communicates with the driver and vice versa - and it was good to learn all the procedures."

Having completed 79 laps throughout the day, da Costa admitted it had been a tough schedule but one he had enjoyed.

"It was good, it's always a good experience and great pleasure to drive for a world championship winning team - and hopefully car - but lots going on so I think it was a good day for the team and also for me. I barely jumped out of the car, there were masses of things going on which is good, it means the team is still pushing and moving forward."

Da Costa also said he was happy with his pace during the day even though he was not quickest overall.

"It was OK. In the morning we were not P1 by half a tenth but we do not know what the others are doing, but we were obviously a bit turned down so I'm happy with that.

"A little bit [of a chance to impress], yeah, you always need to do well; they look for speed. But on the other hand I need to impress in World Series, not really here."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.