Jolyon Palmer says he is working on two scenarios for 2016 as he continues to push for the Lotus seat vacated by the outgoing Romain Grosjean.

Palmer, the 2014 GP2 champion, has been Lotus reserve driver this season and replaced Grosjean at numerous FP1 sessions throughout the year. Grosjean's imminent departure to Haas F1 leaves a seat open alongside Pastor Maldonado at Lotus, which is still engaged in talks with Renault about a takeover for next season.

"Romain has confirmed he's leaving so there's a space and I'm wanting to be there and I'm pushing hard to be there," Palmer told F1i. "Obviously it's complicated with Renault and Lotus still and it depends a bit on movement on that side."

Lotus' possible takeover by French manufacturer has seen the outfit linked with former Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne for 2016. Kevin Magnussen, recently dropped by McLaren, is the other man alongside Vergne and Palmer believed to be in the running for a seat.

With the team's future still uncertain Palmer hints that he is exploring another option and insists he will not settle for another year on the sidelines as a reserve or third driver.

"I'm working a bit on two scenarios really. You'd be brave to just wait and see what happens in most situations really! It's clear that I don't want to be a third driver next year, so I'm pushing really hard. I'm here anyway this year because I want to be racing next year, that was the whole plan from being GP2 champion.

"I've learned a lot this year, done a lot of driving even when the Fridays have been dieseled off or rained off! It has been good, I've learned a lot and I'm ready to step in so now I just need to make sure I can be the person that steps up and takes the seat."

Other than Lotus, Haas F1 (one seat) and Manor (both seats) are the only teams yet to confirm their full driver line-ups for 2016.