Alex Lynn says he is prepared to be patient to earn a chance for more track time with Williams having joined as development driver.
Williams added Lynn to its driver line-up after the departure of Felipe Nasr to Sauber, with Susie Wolff getting an expanded role as test driver. Wolff will make her debut in the FW37 on Thursday at the Circuit de Catalunya - one of two test days and two FP1 runs this season - but Lynn only has one test day in his schedule for 2015.
Speaking exclusively to F1i Lynn says he believes the example of Valtteri Bottas proves his chance will come at Williams if he performs well in his role for the team.
“I feel in safe hands with Williams that they’re going to put me in the right direction,” Lynn said. “I genuinely feel if I’m doing the job on track and with the team in my role then I fully trust that they will look after me and give me the support I deserve. I think that is key, and that’s what I’m here for; for that support and to be helped.”
Lynn will drive for DAMS in GP2 this year alongside his Williams role, and he feels the opportunity to race will allow him to impress the team more than just his work at the factory.
“Obviously we have seen how it goes and at the moment my role is predominantly in the simulator and my day in the car will then be to correlate how the simulator works. These boys are so busy flying around the world and obviously I have got my GP2 commitments, so they need someone they can rely on to give good feedback as a fast driver. At the moment that’s predominantly my role.
“Once I start progressing more and doing a better job - hopefully doing well in GP2 - then hopefully my role will progress more. But in terms of a timeframe it’s hard to say because things within Formula One happen so quickly and it’s all down to results. It’s a results-driven sport.”
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