Formula One: Di Resta beats Schumacher on his Formula One debut

The 23-year-old Force India reserve driver replaced Adrian Sutil for the session round the Albert Park circuit and impressed in his first official run for Vijay Mallya's team, clocking a time of one minute 28.537 seconds for 11th place.

Di Resta, from Bathgate, will again take to the circuit in the first practice session in Malaysia next week, replacing Tonio Liuzzi – who will alternate giving up his seat for the former DTM driver with Sutil in several practice sessions this season – and he admitted he cannot wait to get back out on the track.

"I almost want to go back into it today," he said after eclipsing the German who has won four times here.

"Getting out of the car and having lunch and sitting thinking about it a bit more gives you more time but it becomes more natural when you jump back in it.

"I would say Melbourne is not the easiest track to go out and have your first attempt at it. There is not much approach for error. It was a new track, a new car and a new system for me. There were quite a few things I had to learn but it will get easier as things go on."

Di Resta beat current Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel to the Formula Three Euroseries title four years ago and is hoping to earn a race seat next season.

For now, though, he is taking things one race weekend at a time as he looks to gain as much experience as possible and give himself every chance of realising that dream.

"I certainly don't take anything for granted in this business," he added. "It is difficult and I know it is going to be a tough challenge.

"We all have our goals and our sights set on what we want to achieve from it and that is the way I am looking.

"I just want to take every lap and go about it best I can and gain experience to go forward.

"I've been given this fantastic opportunity as reserve and test driver for the team, and it's one I have to take full advantage of.

"I've got to impress these guys; that's why I'm here. When I'm in the car for the practice sessions, I've got to deliver the right performance which will convince them to take a chance and put me in the car. Given the chance, I believe I can make that step.

"The team are making a big commitment by allowing me time in the car at the expense of the two race drivers," Di Resta continued, "but that shows the belief they have in me that I can deliver."

Di Resta got his maiden experience of the F1 circus at the first GP two weeks ago and added:

"Bahrain was a brilliant experience because it gave me a deep insight into how the team works. A lot of the time was spent attending meetings, speaking with the engineers and learning how the team functions over a race meeting.

"I learned a lot about how to approach the car, deal with the systems and the procedures and also what the team needs from me in terms of feedback and support."

Renault's Robert Kubica was the surprise name at the top of the timesheet in the first session of free practice today. The Pole clocked a time of one minute 26.927 seconds to finish 0.199sec faster than Mercedes' Nico Rosberg.

Reigning world champion Jenson Button was third with a time of 1:27.482 in his McLaren while Ferrari's Felipe Massa – who finished second at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix – took fourth. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was with 1:27.686 while Fernando Alonso was sixth in his Ferrari and McLaren's Lewis Hamilton seventh.