Kane makes prize drive debut with McLaren.

British Formula Three driver Steven Kane stepped up to Formula One this week, when he finally received the chance to step aboard a McLaren-Mercedes as his reward for winning the 2001 McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year award.

Despite having to wait for over a year to receive his prize drive, Kane showed well in the outing - which saw him running against regular McLaren test driver Alex Wurz at Silverstone on Tuesday - and confirmed the team's decision to select him as the award winner.

"McLaren said that I made a good an impression on them, which is something that I'd set out in the morning to achieve," the Irish driver revealed after the test, "This experience has filled me with a new confidence. I felt that I was quick for the laps I had, but I certainly still had more to give and was going faster with every minute I was in the car."

As with any newcomer to Formula One, Kane admitted that he was not fully prepared for the performance of the Mercedes-powered car.

"The overall feeling of driving the car, the brake and throttle response and the g-forces that one experiences are just awesome!" he enthused, "It is clear to me how professional the McLaren team is - very serious and just simply a top team dedicated to their work. It was a pleasure to be part of it."

Kane was sharing the car with 2002 Autosport winner Jamie Green, but was not overshadowed by his much-hyped fellow Briton.

"Steven's time was remarkable for someone who is a thoughtful cautious driver," commented test team manager Indy Lall, "He absorbed information very quickly and drove within his limits. He knows his parameters. He's done very well."