Alex Lynn is heading into the biggest step of his motor racing career knowing that he has the tools to be challenging for the GP2 Series title this year.

The 21-year-old driver from Dunmow will be competing for the DAMS Racing when the season begins at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain this weekend and claiming the 2015 crown is in his sights.

Lynn, who is also development driver for the Williams Martini Formula One team, heads into the new season as a GP2 rookie, but is the reigning GP3 champion and hopes a strong showing at the higher level will advance his dreams of racing in F1 next year.

“I think we’re looking good,” said Lynn.

“It’s all really positive and and we can definitely compete for the championship.

“We are in good shape and if everything goes well this weekend then we should be fighting for the win.

“However, it could be any one of seven or eight guys fighting for it.

“That’s a lot more than usual and shows the strength of the drivers that are in the championship this year.

“I’ve heard from people involved in Formula One that they reckon this is the first time in over ten years that all the best drivers below F1 have come together in one year.

“I think that people are looking at it as potentially one of the strongest ever years in GP2.

“It’s nice to be included in that type of statement as it’s always been my dream to be talked of in that way.

“It’s a great honour, but it also gives me more motivation to win it.”

GP2 will be a significant step up for Lynn this year, with more powerful cars making use of DRS (Drag Reduction System) similar to Formula One and the introduction of pit stops, tyre changes and differing race strategies compared to GP3.

The first competitive action of the season will be in race one at the Sakhir circuit on tomorrow at 11.10am (British Summer Time), with race two on Sunday at 12.15pm (BST).

However, before that will come qualifying today at 6pm (BST) and Lynn knows how crucial that session could be under the lights in Bahrain.