Hamilton sealed the GP2 title with one race to spare

The McLaren protege wants to test one of the team's cars in Jerez this week.

Hamilton, 21, told BBC Radio Five Live: "F1 has to be the next step and I would love to be there [in Jerez].

"I think it's about time I finally get a good run in the F1 car because I've never had the real test and I can't wait for that day."

Hamilton became the first Brit since Justin Wilson in 2001 to win the F1 feeder series crown.

And Hamilton is now targeting an F1 race seat alongside world champion Fernando Alonso, who moves to McLaren next season.

Hamilton added: "Heikki Kovalainen (of Renault), Nico Rosberg (of Williams) and Robert Kubica (of BMW Sauber) have already gone to Formula One and we're in the same generation. Hopefully I can follow in their footsteps."

While McLaren boss Ron Dennis has acknowledged Hamilton's "exceptional talent", he may prefer to stick with the experienced Pedro de la Rosa alongside Alonso in 2007.

Dennis has already indicated that Hamilton will test a McLaren before next month's Chinese Grand Prix, but has not yet revealed when that will be.