Firman collided with Oliver Panis' Toyota in Brazil

The Jordan driver has finished just one of his three races so far this season - and says he is yet to feel fully comfortable in an F1 car.

Firman's cause has not been helped by suspension failures which caused him to crash out on his debut in Australia, and collide with Olivier Panis' Toyota at the last race in Brazil.

Firman was given his F1 chance by Eddie Jordan after winning last season's Formula Nippon in Japan.

He said: "Formula One is an incredible thing.

"I just need to knuckle down and keep going in the right direction, making little steps forward all the time.

"It's harder on the neck than a Nippon car. The muscles have to be stronger.

"Formula Nippon really gets you prepared physically for F1 but technically, the only thing you need is miles under your belt.

"I've still got a lot to learn and I still haven't got a handle on tyres. I know how I want the car I just haven't got an idea how to get that just yet."

Testing limit

Firman also faces getting to grips with European tracks having spent the last few seasons in Japan.

Jordan are one of the teams who agreed to limit their testing this season in order to run extra hours on the track during race weekends.

Firman added: "It does gives me more laps in the car.

"I've only tested at Barcelona I've hardly raced at any European circuits.

"I guess once you become 100% comfortable with the car it's easier and quicker to learn circuits.

"I'm still trying to learn two things at the same time."