Gelael ready for 'big push' with sights set on 2019 F1 seat

Sean Gelael is ready for a "big push" as part of his bid to secure a full-time move up to Formula 1 in 2019 after making his first grand prix weekend appearance with Toro Rosso in Singapore.

Gelael, 20, currently races full-time in Formula 2, and took part in FP1 at Marina Bay for Toro Rosso in the first of four practice appearances planned before the end of the season.

Having also featured at tests in Bahrain and Hungary, plus with an appearance at the end-of-season running in Abu Dhabi planned, Gelael is hoping to put in some impressive displays in a bid to lobby for an F1 seat in the future, but is aware he must also impress in F2.

"We realise that we need a really good result in F2 to get the [FIA Super Licence] points, and not only the points but to get a good result in general," Gelael said.

"So hopefully we can do that next year. It’s going be a big push and hopefully we can still continue the programme with testing with Toro Rosso next year, and see what 2019 brings."

Gelael currently sits 15th in the F2 standings with a best result of fifth so far this season, achieved in the last round at Monza, and he hopes it can mark the start of a strong run of form to end the season.

"It’s a difficult start, to be honest. Our pace has always been relatively good, but with people not looking so close in Formula 2 we’ve had a lot of hiccups: reliability issues from day one," Gelael said.

"It’s been really tough to judge. And thankfully, in some races we showed the pace in the race and then in race two we’ve always shown something.

"I think Monza was quite a clean weekend, I think it’s a good confidence booster for the last two races.

"You’re only as good as your last race, so hopefully in the last two races we can do a much better job."