Brendon Hartley isn't thinking too far past the green flag dropping in Austin for the United States Grand Prix.
The Kiwi motorsport ace will make his Formula 1 debut in Texas, starting from the rear of the grid after copping a penalty for an engine change at the start of the week.
Talk out of the paddock is that Hartley is in serious contention to drive in Mexico next weekend, but according to the 27-year-old's long-time mentor, the focus is on getting a good result in Texas and then worrying about what's next.
"He has a great opportunity to achieve a great result in the race on Monday," Barrie Tomlinson tells Sunday Sport on RadioLIVE.
"He is up for the challenge and I think he may surprise a few people in the race tomorrow.
"The focus is on tomorrow... The rest of his career we can talk about on Tuesday [NZT]."
Hartley is far from foreign to the pressure of a big race, having won 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this year, despite being 10 laps down midway through the race.
Tomlinson says the Kiwi is comfortable with his new surroundings and making a big impression on important people.
"He is coping exceptionally well with it all.
"At the end of the day he is a professional race car driver and he has been that way for many years.
"He is used to the environment and the big team he is working with. He is not fazed one bit, but it has been a steep learning curve for him.
"The team manager is a Kiwi, Graham Watson. He has seen it all in 25-plus years and he has said to me that he is very happy with the job Brendon has done.
"They are rapt with his performance so far."
Hartley was extremely disappointed on Saturday, when the television coverage had an Australian flag next to his name.
Tomlinson says as soon as he arrived back in the pit lane he requested the team ask for it to be changed.
Hartley is very proud of what has come before him in the world of Formula 1 and desperate to represent the country well.
"Brendon was a good friend of the late Chris Amon.
"He knows the history of New Zealand motorsport; he owns memorabilia from the likes of Chris, Denny Hulme and Bruce McLaren.
"It motivates him - he is a proud Kiwi and he carries the flag proudly."
As for a result that will leave Hartley happy, Tomlinson says no expectations have been set by the team but the young charge is keen to get the car home in one piece. If he can do that then he may well get the nod for another shot at the big time in Mexico.
"The definition of success is to finish the race and then what comes after that is a bonus," he says.
"I guess the team will have a word with him after the race and discuss the future Brendon is ready for, so we will wait and see."
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