Russell made his first on-track appearance during a grand prix weekend for Force India in Brazil, finishing FP1 in 12th place overall, 0.6s off teammate Esteban Ocon. He will also drive on Friday in Abu Dhabi.

Having tested for Mercedes earlier this year, the GP3 champion says he's ready to make the step up, should an opportunity arise.

"I feel ready for an F1 seat next season," he said. "I've done a lot of F1 stuff with Mercedes, I've done a lot of simulator work with them. I feel I've been prepared well, and I won the GP3 championship this year.

"I feel ready for an F1 seat next year, but we'll have to see what the options. If you look at the facts the only options are Williams or Sauber, but we'll see.

"One reason I really wanted to do this testing at the end of the year with Force India is that as we've seen in F1, anything can happen, and I want to be prepared – let's say in January, if something happens, I can say I'm the guy to jump in, and I'm the guy ready to make the step.

"Obviously my end goal is to be an F1 world champion. Realistically Mercedes are not going to put one of their drivers straight into a race driver's seat.

"This is a good place for me to learn, as Esteban is doing now, and hopefully one day we can progress into the main Mercedes team."

Russell was satisfied with his first day in the Force India despite admitting that he had a lot to learn, and he expects to be stronger next time out in Abu Dhabi.

"It was a huge step up, but I think I've been prepared very well. Obviously I've done a lot of days in the simulator at Mercedes, I've done days in the simulator at Force India, I've done four days of F1 testing this year.

"After my two days in Budapest, this was my next step, and I think I've been as prepared as I can be, knowing that FP1 in Brazil for me was only arranged eight days ago or whatever it was. It was a big step up, but I think it went well.

"As I didn't know the circuit and didn't know the car I just wanted to learn as much as I can to take into Abu Dhabi.

"As by then I'll know the circuit, I'll know the car, so I just wanted to gather as much information as possible, review it afterwards, and then I can go to Abu Dhabi and have less excuses, let's say."