Red Bull Racing's Daniil Kvyat says that he has a better understanding of Formula One as he prepares for this second season with the team in 2016.
The young Russian admitted earlier this month that his sudden rise from the Toro Rosso junior squad into the spotlight at the main Red Bull Racing team had left him feeling the pressure at points during the year.
But he insists that the experience, while not ideal, had nonetheless made him a stronger competitor as time went on, and he's confident that he'll now be a better driver than ever this year as a result.
"It was an up-and-down season, and when you find yourself in the middle group it's hard to be consistent," Kvyat told Autosport this week. "Mental adjustments are always tricky.
"I just had to forget about the final positions and just focus on driving. That was it. It proved to be a good, efficient way.
"From Monaco there were many more positive races and a much more positive understanding with the car.
"At the end of my rookie season there were no mistakes at all," he pointed out.
"But sometimes they happen. Every driver makes mistakes and obviously I had a crash in Japan and at Austin.
"It's just a quick flash in the pan and you're in the wall," he added. "You just move on. You can't think about it too much."
These lessons learned should put him in good stead for the new season, especially if he can pick up at the same level of performance that he finished on in 2015.
"I wouldn't say that it was perfect," he concluded. "But at least I could say I have a much better understanding of everything."
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