Palmer can retain Renault seat if he turns his season around
- Published on 11 Aug 2017 13:13
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Jolyon Palmer has received a boost of confidence from Renault's managing director Cyril Abiteboul, who says that the Brit can still get a drive for the team in 2018 if he can turn his season around. Palmer has had a disappointing season with bad luck, unreliability and a distant gap to his teammate overshadowing his second year in the sport.
Palmer's future has been under scrutiny for quite a while, with a number of suitors lined up primed to take over if the opportunity arises. With current F1 drivers Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez being linked to the seat, there is a threat also from Robert Kubica who is eyeing up a return to motorsport's pinnacle, and Formula 2 hopeful Oliver Rowland.
Palmer has failed to score a single point this season, while teammate Nico Hulkenberg has clocked up 23 for the French team. In qualifying, Hulkenberg has come out on top over Palmer in all 11 sessions so far, with the average gap between them being a hefty 1.017s.
Abiteboul has spoken out about Palmer stating that he may still drive for the team next season if he can pull back some strong results this year. With many drivers lurking for his seat, Palmer will be feeling the pressure to perform as opportunities to impress start to run out
Fergal Walsh
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Replies (10)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Fat chance, even if he does get string results
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Just can't see that happening. Everytime he gets a run at things he than damages the car. Although there was a marked improved last year in the second part of 2016 even if he does this again I am still afraid that the damage is done.
Next years Renault will simply be to good for him as a driver. Most likely they will swap him.
Hope he does well though, I have been really impressed with him in interviews after failures.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree, I dont really think thats likely. I hope he will do better in a different series. He seem likable, I just dont see him deliver in F1.
f1dave
Posts: 782
lI'm sure he can look foreward to a career in Formula E.
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
I'd actually like to see him there, alongside Buemi. Prost is useless
F1racefan97
Posts: 113
Palmer just has shown nothing all season to suggest he can match hulkenberg, who himself isnt exactly Hamilton or Alonso levels of speed, palmer just will never be good enough to compete
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I agree Palmer has been not match for Hulkenberg. However, I still think Hulkenberg is the most underrated driver on the grid. The only reason he is not spoken off more often as a top drive candidate is his mystifying lack of podiums.
Barron
Posts: 625
It's interesting that the top teams have passed him over, but they have a lot more data than we do. What is it they see that we don't or cannot? I agree, it's a mystery.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It is weird indeed.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I feel bad for Joylon because he is a genuinely good guy. He definitely showed promise in GP2. I really don't think he deserves the Renault seat. However, I would be happy if he got another chance elsewhere. But still, in such a crowded market, with one team less than before, I don't see it happening.