Albuquerque out to defy rookie status.

Filipe Albuquerque is refusing to hide behind his status as a rookie when the World Series by Renault season kicks off in April at Monza, Epsilon Euskadi's newcomer claiming he is setting his sights on the title at his first attempt.

One of four drivers, along with Pippa Mann, Bertrand Baguette and Xavier Maassen, in making the considerable leap from the Formula Renault Eurocup, Albuquerque is nonetheless the most coveted graduate of the quartet, finishing fifth overall in 2005 before taking the title last year with four wins to his name.

Together with backing from Red Bull, Albuquerque was a natural choice for Epsilon Euskadi, who announced before the end of the 2006 season that the Portuguese driver will join the fold in a deal that will also see the team join forces with the energy drink giant for 2007.

Indeed, with Epsilon, who scored the 2005 title with Robert Kubica, announcing their driver line-up well before any other team, they have been able to revolve their testing around Albuquerque and team-mate Davide Valsecchi, a factor that Albuquerque has been eager to take advantage of.

"The team is highly motivated and they really want the World Series Title back. In that respect, their motivation matches mine. Winter Testing gave me the opportunity to make some adjustments to the setup of the Formula Renault 3.5 car and to familiarize myself with the working schedule of a highly professional team such as Epsilon Euskadi."

Still, despite his relative inexperience, Albuquerque proved a regular figure inside the top ten during testing, although he admits that both himself and Red Bull are expecting even more when the season gets underway in Italy.

"Red Bull is expecting me to win. They do not consider me to be a rookie in the slightest! I'm determined to win and I'll do my best to ensure that the Epsilon Euskadi Team makes it back onto top spot."