Alex Lynn bolstered his bid for an F1 seat with Toro Rosso next season after securing the GP3 title on his first attempt in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Needing a single point to claim the drivers’ championship at the Yas Marina Circuit, the 21-year-old earned four points by qualifying on pole position. Fifth and second placed finishes meant the Dunmow ace took the title by 46 points.

His win puts him in a four-way fight for a seat with Toro Rosso, following former GP3 champion Daniil Kvyat’s promotion to Red Bull in the wake of Sebastian Vettel’s departure.

Lynn likened the battle for a seat to ‘lions fighting over their prey’ and it seems his stiffest competition is from Carlos Sainz, this year’s Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion.

“Absolutely I feel ready for Formula One. If you look at the job that Daniil Kvyat did this year in F1, as reigning GP3 Series champion, it just goes to show how well this category prepares you for the very highest level of racing.” he said.

“As a driver, you don’t have an automatic right to anything, though, you have to earn the opportunity.

“But we’ve done everything we’ve been asked to do this year and wrapped up the GP3 Series with two races to spare and three victories – the same number as Daniil last year – having led it from the start and never lost the lead.

“I hope that states a pretty strong case. The rest is out of my hands.”

He added: “It’s great to be champion after all the efforts we’ve made as a team this year, and I’m delighted I was able to help Carlin win the teams’ championship as well.

“There’ll be no celebrating at home just yet, because I’m staying in Abu Dhabi for some GP2 testing this week, one day with Carlin and one with ART.

“That’s the next step up the ladder, so needless to say I’m really looking forward to it.”