Robin Frijns admits the pressure is on him to perform in GP2 test

The reigning Formula Renault 3.5 champion is without a drive for this year, but AUTOSPORT understands Sauber is keen for him to keep racing.

Frijns will get his first taste of a GP2 car in next week's Jerez test with Trident, and he has admitted that there could be a lot at stake over the three days.

"I've never driven a GP2 car before," he told AUTOSPORT. "Hopefully I will do a good job - the pressure is on me.

"At the moment the deal is just for the test. It's hard, but I have to keep fighting.

"It's no secret that I want to race in GP2. I can't sit still this year, I need a drive.

"GP2 can be a good step towards F1 because it races on the same weekends, so you can learn the tracks and the Pirelli tyres."

Frijns put in some stunning performances in FR3.5 pre-season testing last year as a newcomer to the category, but he has played down the chance of repeating those shock results next week.

"I know I've got a lot to learn about the car and the tyres," he added. "Everyone tells me it takes some time so I don't expect to be on top of the timesheets.

"I'm going to take it easy to start with and learn as much as I can. I never say I'm going to be quick straight away because I don't think like that."

The Dutchman, who has won titles in Formula BMW Europe, the Formula Renault Eurocup and FR3.5 in the last three seasons, has already had potential deals in GP2 come to nothing because of a lack of funding.

"We've been talking to teams but they have deadlines they are working to and we have not been able to come up with the budget to meet any of those deadlines yet," he said.

"Trident are one of the decent teams with a drive still available. I have been to visit them and they seem like a hard working team that wants to work with me."