Jolyon is ready to make his Formula One race debut in 2016 according to his team-mate at the works Renault F1 team, Pastor Maldonado. The Venezuelan was speaking to Autosport as he looked ahead to next season and positively reflected on the job that the 2014 GP2 Champion did in his role as Lotus F1 Team's Third and Reserve Driver in 2015.

Jolyon took part in first practice at 13 of the 19 grands prix in 2015 and will step up to a race driver role in 2016, replacing Frenchman Romain Grosjean, after impressing in his FP1 outings this year. Maldonado said: "He's a good driver, he's very intelligent and I wish him the best. I think he is ready. I hope he pushes hard with me to put the team in a good place."

He continued: "It's always difficult because he has been running this year on most of the Fridays but always with the harder compounds on a very green track and that is the worst moment of the weekend."

"Spending the year with Lotus, it will help him from one side because he knows everyone, he knows how we work. Of course he is not experienced racing in Formula One, he is not experienced having time to set up the car but that will come. If you are clever and do your job with the guys, this will come automatically," Maldonado added.

Jolyon will make his race debut at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 20 March, the 2016 Formula One season opener, with Renault. The French manufacturer recently completed its takeover of Lotus F1 Team and will officially compete in Formula One from 2016 as a works entrant.