Make no mistake about it, Nick Heidfeld has impressed Renault and onlookers after his performance today.
Is the seat vacated by Robert Kubica's accident last Sunday now his? Surely.
Renault boss Eric Boullier has already said that the team is looking for an experienced driver and practically guaranteed the 33 year-old German the job if he impressed over the course of this test.
He declared afterwards that the day had in fact gone so well, that he was able to discuss further improvements of the R31's development with the team:
"We already started today to try and improve the car, find directions, where the problems are, where the strengths are," Heidfeld told reporters at Jerez. "I'm obviously trying to do the best job today so I can drive in the future, but I'm also just using it as a normal test and trying to develop the car.
"The car is already very different to how it was this morning, suiting my driving style a lot more. It is still not ideal - I hope there is more to come from the feeling I have – but it's a good base."
Much like an actor needing to audition for a role, Heidfeld added he was very happy with his own performance but admitted no discussions had taken place yet about the fast approaching season.
"I'm pleased with the job I did, very pleased," he said. "I don't think I could have done any better, and I didn't do any mistakes."
"I haven't discussed it yet," he said when questioned about expecting an answer from team boss Boullier. "My focus was just on today, this was what mattered. It doesn't help if you think about what they will tell you after the test. That takes the concentration away."
Bruno Senna is the teams reserve driver and is scheduled to drive tomorrow yet Boullier has already discounted the Brazilian from being experienced enough to take over from Kubica so one wonders if a press release will surface in the morning declaring Heidfeld's signature on a one year deal, and that he will be driving the car all day.
Watch this space...
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