Former Red Bull and Lotus junior Albon raced in European F3 last year, taking an impressive seventh overall with Signature as a rookie.

Although the initial plan was to stay in the series for another year, Albon admitted he could not pass up the opportunity to drive for frontrunner GP3 team ART when the offer came up.

"Before I started, the plan was to do two years [in F3]," said Albon. "But when the opportunity came to drive with ART, it's a hot seat!

"F3, as you can see this year, the numbers have gone down because it’s hard to be competitive outside of the two or three big teams.

"It’s still possible, but the top teams have a lot of backing behind them."

Conversely, Albon described GP3 as a more meritocratic series, with a lot more teams capable of fighting at the front.

"Every test someone else [different] has gone quicker," he said. "I’d say our team was one of the most consistent, but it’s close.

"Different tracks suit different cars, whereas in F3 there were generally the same people [at the top]."

First win since 2014

In the season opener at Barcelona, however, only ART Grand Prix drivers stood on the top step - with Charles Leclerc winning the first race and Albon picking up his first win since 2014 in the reverse-grid second race.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve won a single-seater race," Albon said. I’m really happy.

"From what I saw in Race 1, it’s really important to make a good start. There is overtaking but if the driver in front is good at defending, then it can be hard.

"The main focus in Race 2 was the start. From that point on, it was just about controlling the gap to [Oscar] Tunjo and making sure I had enough tyre left for the last few laps."

Regarding ART's stellar weekend, he added: "It showed our pre-season testing pace. The car is quick, there is no denying that. It’s up to us guys to deliver the results."

Additional reporting by Jamie Klein