- Toro Rosso
Lynn: 2015 Toro Rosso seat unlikely
GP3 champion Alex Lynn says his chances of driving for Toro Rosso in 2015 are "looking less and less" but he is still hopeful of landing a reserve role at another team next year.
British driver Lynn is a member of the Red Bull junior team and was seen as a potential replacement for Daniil Kvyat at Toro Rosso for next year. On Wednesday Jean-Eric Vergne announced he will not be at Toro Rosso next season, meaning Formula Renault 3.5 champion Carlos Sainz Jr is the new favourite to partner Max Verstappen in 2015.
Lynn, who said his 54 laps for Lotus at the Abu Dhabi test left a "massive smile" on his face, says his focus has switched away from a senior seat next year.
"My Toro Rosso chances are looking less and less but I've come to terms with the fact that the whole situation of trying to get to Formula One is very difficult so I'm just going to work my arse off to get in and make the most of the opportunities like this," Lynn said. "I think [Red Bull] will always try and help me. Me and Dr [Helmut] Marko have a great relationship. There's no doubt in my mind how good he thinks I am but, like so many things in life, the cards need to fall at the right time and it looks like mine won't fall for Toro Rosso but it could be the perfect opportunity to go somewhere else, and that's what we're working towards. There are a couple of good opportunities that could come up."
Lynn thinks Red Bull will continue to support him in his pursuit of F1 but thinks it could be beneficial to look for a reserve role at a team further up the grid.
"I genuinely reckon in two, maximum of three, weeks I'm going to know if I'm going to have a chance of having more goes in an F1 car next year. If I can get myself somewhere in the door where I can really be really in the frame, that's what I'm looking for. I'm looking for someone who believes in what I can do and believes I can lead a team one day."
Lynn joined Esteban Gutierrez, Valtteri Bottas and Kvyat on the list of GP3 champions in Abu Dhabi and he says continuing to race - possibly in GP2 - is essential to keeping his F1 chances alive.
"If I was to do something in F1 I would race as well, I think it's pretty paramount. But backing for that becomes difficult so let's see what Red Bull can do; I think they're still interested in helping me. Dr [Helmut] Marko [Red Bull motorsport boss] has already said 'yes we are going to help you', but who knows. I think as long as you keep on winning, no matter what you do, you're always giving yourself the best chance possible."
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