Alexander Albon says he can still gain a lot by improving how he makes settings changes at the wheel of his Toro Rosso.

The newcomer only tested a Formula 1 car for the first time during the shakedown of Toro Rosso’s STR14.

“I’m still getting used to it,” said Albon after completing his third of four pre-season tests today. “But with my engineer I’m getting more in the rhythm.

“I think the main thing at the minute is just trying to use all the tools on the steering wheel. There’s quite a lot of potential there just in terms of tyre-saving and all that kind of thing. It can really affect the balance just by a couple of switches.

“I was just trying to make that become more natural. At some points you are ‘do-it-yourself’ rather than your engineer kind of suggesting [to] you things to do. That’s kind of the main area at the moment.”

Albon said he focused his attention on familiarising himself with the car’s complex systems during the off-season.

“In that winter period when I wasn’t driving the car that was really my main focus, trying to be as well-prepared mentally. Really understanding the car before I even drive it.

“Even with the switches and what the team says to me, all the procedures, all the codes, just kind of testing myself and making in some ways procedures where when we go to the simulator it all becomes kind of a little bit natural. Then I almost don’t have to think about it.

“I think that’s one of the important things. It’s one thing doing switches but there’s another thing doing all that kind of thing and not losing time. And so that’s I’ve been quite happy with that side of it. Obviously the more I do the more it will be easier.”

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2019 F1 season