Carlos Sainz Jr hopes test can convince Red Bull he's ready for F1

The Spaniard became the first Red Bull junior to win the FR3.5 title this year, but his graduation to an F1 seat has been in doubt since the energy drinks firm signed Formula 3 rookie Max Verstappen to a Toro Rosso race seat for 2015.

Sainz appears to be in the running to partner Verstappen, with current Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne and 2014 FR3.5 runner-up Pierre Gasly also in contention.

Speaking to the media at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit after his test on Tuesday, Sainz said: "I think it was an important test for me to let Red Bull know the step forward I did compared to last year.

"I'm not hearing much [about the future], I'm just waiting for them to make a decision.

"I'm sure they'll make the correct decision, and obviously I would like it to be me.

"Hopefully now they know me a bit better and they can choose me.

"I'm happy, and I think I did a good job. No mistakes - obviously that was the main target."

Sainz said it was too early for him to gauge his pace on the day, as he was following the team's test programme.

"In testing you never know," he said. "With this year's car you can be three or four seconds quicker just with a couple of clicks to change things.

"Everything can affect [the performance], so I will wait to get a reference from the team and then I will check.

"There were no problems at all. It was quite an extensive programme.

"The morning was going around doing some aero checks, and in the afternoon I could push a little bit more.

"I think it was the ideal plan to get used to the car, and I'm really grateful for Red Bull to give me this chance to push a bit."

This week's Abu Dhabi test was Sainz's first proper running in a contemporary F1 car since he drove with Red Bull and Toro Rosso at Silverstone in the summer of 2013.