SAO PAULO, BRAZIL, (Reuters) - Renault's Brazilian test driver Lucas Di Grassi said on Thursday he was hopeful of moving up to a Formula One race drive next season.
"What I want is to try to take a step up in my career and become an official F1 driver. There is a good possibility that I will be in F1 next year," he told Reuters.
"My first option is Renault because they have been investing in my career. But I would be happy with any other team."
Di Grassi has been part of Renault's Driver Development Programme for five years and has been mentioned as a possible alternative to rookie compatriot Nelson Piquet if the team decide they need a change after next week's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.
"The option (of being an official driver) is up to Renault," said Di Grassi.
"They have the possibility of extending my contract, so I am waiting for their decision to see if it will be with Renault or if I will have permission to negotiate with other teams".
Renault are waiting for double world champion Fernando Alonso to decide his future before announcing their lineup. Honda and Toro Rosso are the other teams yet to confirm their drivers for 2009.
"Everything I could do, since F3, GP2, Formula One tests, was good and more than satisfactory to be able to achieve F1," said Di Grassi, who was third in this year's GP2 feeder series.
"So if there was a spot, and it depended only on my talent, I would have already got there. But F1 is a little bit more complex, it involves other processes and political and commercial decisions, so I have to wait."
