Mat Coch writes:

Williams debutant Valtteri Bottas believes he has had the best preparation possible ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old has been promoted to a full race seat having spent three years as Williams' test and reserve driver. Having finished no lower than third in any championship he's ever contested the Finn comes highly credentialed. In 2011 he won the GP3 championship before spending last year on the sidelines with the Williams squad.

It provided Bottas with the chance to take part in fifteen Friday practice sessions, helping the youngster gain experience and ease his transition to a full time drive this year.

"I feel well prepared," he said. "Of course you would always like more mileage but I think everything has gone well."

While Esteban Gutierrez is trying to play down the importance of his first Grand Prix, Bottas is relishing the prospect of achieving a lifelong ambition.
"It's one race like any other but at the same time it's still a special moment, it's the first Grand Prix for me so it's something special," he explained.

There is a learning curve ahead, and some lessons have already been taken from the tome of Pastor Maldonado, the aggressive Venezuelan better at wrestling the full potential out of a car says Bottas. Maldonado is, for the moment, Bottas' benchmark, the level by which he measures his own progress.

Naturally before too long he hopes to be on pace with his race winning teammate but for now he's just enjoying his Formula One debut.