Alex Lynn says he’ll be “extremely disappointed” to not be battling for the GP2 Series title this year after getting his first proper look at his DAMS team car in the opening test session in Abu Dhabi last week.

The 21-year-old racing driver from Dunmow was quickly on the pace at the Yas Marina circuit in the first of two three-day test sessions ahead of the start of the GP2 Series next month.

Having won the GP3 Series title last year, Lynn, who is also the development driver for the Williams Martini Formula One team, was keen to get his first proper drive in the DAMS car and liked what he saw.

He placed himself high up in the timing sheets throughout the three days of testing, topping the list on the second day, and is confident that he can help DAMS challenge for a fourth GP2 title in five years.

He told the Times: “It was really positive – our pace was really good from the start and it was exactly what we wanted to see.

“To be honest, there was a little bit of doubt because I’m going into a new season in a new category and I know I’ve got to be competitive right from the first race.

“I started so well last year in GP3 and that’s exactly the way I’ve got to start this year.

“However, being with a team like DAMS is mega as they’re such a class act. Being with them gives me a lot of confidence.

“They have won the (GP2) championship in three of the last four years and they know what they are doing.”