Oliver Bearman insists he is not "entitled" to the vacant Haas seat - despite being in pole position to replace Nico Hulkenberg.
The German is headed for Sauber at the end of the year, having been enticed by the new Audi project. It means Haas will need to recruit at least one driver, while Kevin Magnussen's future is also up in the air.
Bearman is the strong favourite to land at least one of those seats, having auditioned superbly when filling in for the infirmed Carlos Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March. And Haas have arranged six practice sessions for the 18-year-old Briton this year to help to get him prepared.
"Yes, I see it of course as my chance," he told reporters at Imola, including Mirror Sport, when asked if he believes he can land the Haas seat. But he added: "Just because there is a seat free, doesn’t mean I’m entitled to it.
"I still have to go out there and earn it through good performances in F2. But even more so the six FPs that I'm doing, I have to perform well and show that I'm ready to jump into F1 next year."
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Team principal Ayao Komatsu has spoken highly of Bearman in the past and there is a lot of admiration for the British teenager from everyone at Haas. Komatsu has made it particularly clear that his performances in practice sessions with the team are more important when it comes to the decision over his future.
And Bearman's F1 call-up in Saudi Arabia cost him the chance to convert an F2 pole position into a huge haul of points. But he insists he is not giving up on the title - even if it isn't necessary for him to be able to make the step up to the top category.
He said: "I've been set back in F2, but it doesn't mean... everything is possible. We're in the European season where we know the tracks and understand the car better, so I don't see a reason why we can't fight for the F2 title. I'm really motivated to do so.
"These six FPs are six great opportunities to prove my talent and show what I can do. I don't place any more weight on them than I do the F2, because of course you need to show that you can compete and race well. F1 is not just about the fastest lap.
"I want to be in F1 and to win in F1, that's my life goal. F2 is a step to get to F1 and winning it is the goal, but it's not going to be easy. I want to do enough to get me into F1, whatever that is."
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