PARIS (AFP) — Bruno Senna, the nephew of former triple world champion Ayrton, underwent his first full day of Formula One testing and hoped he had done enough to win a seat with Honda for the 2009 season.
Senna was eighth fastest at Barcelona, almost 2.5secs off the pace set by Red Bull's Sebastien Vettel, with fellow Honda driver Jenson Button fifth fastest.
"Whether what I did today is good enough is for the team to decide now and I respect that. But for me personally, for my first time in a Formula One car, I have to be happy with what I achieved today," said 25-year-old Senna who is hoping to supplant Rubens Barrichello from the team for 2009.
"Today (Wednesday) has been a really good day and I'm very pleased. I've become a lot more comfortable and confident in the car and I think that showed in the lap time, both in the actual time and also the consistency. We found some good set-ups and we were able to make a lot of progress through the day.
"Driving a Formula One car is a very special feeling and it is very easy to know why it is the pinnacle of motorsport. It's very different to anything else you can drive and I just wanted to go faster and faster.
"Aside from the hard work and focus here this week I have really enjoyed myself. The Honda team are very professional and I am proud to have spent the time with them during this very special week for me."
Ayrton Senna, who was world champion in 1988, 1990 and 1992, was killed at Imola in 1994.
Meanwhile Barrichello, who holds the record for most races (271), is understood to be under pressure to hold on to his seat at Honda and is also facing competition from another fellow Brazilian Lucas Di Grassi.
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