Newly-crowned GP2 champion Jolyon Palmer has taken another step towards securing a drive in Formula One.

The 23-year-old from Southwater will have his first Formula One test next Tuesday with Sahara Force India in Abu Dhabi.

Palmer will spend a full day driving the team’s VJM07 car on the Yas Marina circuit, venue of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The test is no guarantee that Palmer will be handed an F1 drive for next year but it is another significant step in his blossoming career.

It follows a tremendous season when Palmer has become the first Briton to win the GP2 title since Lewis Hamilton in 2006. He has secured four race wins, 11 podium places and amassed a record-breaking 256 championship points ahead of the final two races in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Palmer said: “Sahara Force India have shown their faith in me by offering this opportunity and I am looking forward to repaying their trust.

“I have worked very hard for a chance like this and I want to help the team get the most from this test session. This is a team that has always promoted talent and I hope this opportunity can lead to bigger things in the future.

“Getting into F1 is harder than ever at the moment so this is a rare opportunity to demonstrate that I deserve to be there. I can’t wait for the day now and I intend to grab the opportunity with both hands.”