Nico Rosberg says he is now ready to fight for the world championship with his new team having proved his consistency during his last year at Williams.
Having spent the first four seasons of his Formula 1 career with Williams, Rosberg is expected to become Jenson Button's new team-mate at Brawn in 2010.
The young German was seventh in the world championship this year - his best result yet - and kept Williams in the top ten at most races, scoring all of the team's points.
Although he did not get the podium finishes he really wanted, Rosberg says his main objective was to 2009 was to polish his skills ready for a big season next year.
"This season has been an important year for me, because I saw it as a kind of stepping stone to have the chance to fight for race wins next year and even the championship," he said on the Williams team podcast.
"That's worked out fine, because thanks to everyone at Williams I had a decent car so I could put in some good, consistent drives which just increased my value as a driver.
"That was important, so I'm quite pleased.
"Of course we would've wanted to do better - we didn't get a podium, which was a bit unfortunate because I think we should have had one at least.
"But all in all I think it was a good year."
He singled out his charge from 15th to fourth at the Nurburgring as his finest achievement of the season.
"I started 15th, took six people in Turns 1, 2 and 3, and then another five people in the race - that was cool," Rosberg recalled.
He also thinks he is now much better equipped to handle F1 technology than he was earlier in his career.
"Experience helps you to use your mind more, which will make me faster," said Rosberg.
"It's really nice to use your mind and think about things, not just use your talent and go for it.
"There's so much you can do with all the switches, there's so much technology that you can use to your benefit to go faster every lap, and that's where I've improved a lot."
While being excited about his future, Rosberg admitted to a sense of regret at leaving Williams.
"I am a little bit sad, because after four years you really become friends with a lot of people," he said.
"But at the same time I'm really looking forward to closing a chapter and looking to the future."