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Palmer illustrates "strange" final weekend with Renault

Published on 08 Oct 2017 12:12
10
By: Fergal Walsh

Jolyon Palmer has said that the weekend in Japan has been very strange, knowing that it is the last time he will race for Renault squad. The Brit announced on Saturday that he would be leaving the team following the Japanese Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz will be brought in as his replacement, as the Spaniard will race the full 2018 season with the Enstone squad. Palmer, who has dealt with heavy criticism for much of his F1 career, describes a peculiar weekend in Suzuka.

"It’s been a strange weekend knowing that this was going to be the last one with the team," Palmer said. "I’ve been with the team now for three years so it’s a shame not to be going to Austin with them. Carlos is signed for next year and Cyril [Abiteboul] made it clear that he wanted him in the car this year.

"After this race there is a two week gap, so I think it made sense for this to be the time that we part ways. It’s a shame for me to not finish the season having been with the team for a while, but I respect the decision and I wish the team the best for the future – I wish Carlos the best. We will go our separate ways and I will work on something else for my future."

Talking about his final race, Palmer said: "From 18th on the grid, I think finishing 12th is about as good as we could have done, apart from if we didn’t have the VSC at the end and had one more lap. I was four seconds a lap quicker than [Felipe] Massa and right behind him at the end so we maybe could have had a point. Nonetheless, I’m happy to have seen the chequered flag."

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Felipe Massa Jolyon Palmer Renault

Replies (10)

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
So long Palmer..
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- Oct 8 2017 - 12:29
Jutlandia

Posts: 191
Chear up Palmer.
You have the time to find another series to hopefully have more success.
Just do it as far away from "knife in the back" Arteboul(shlt) as you can.
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- Oct 8 2017 - 14:58
- Kean
  
  Posts: 692
  Yeah, that Abiteboul does seem to be a bit of a douche. Read an article a while back that stated as much, he's got an "I-can-do-nothing-wrong" attitude and is incredibly difficult to work with, basically he thinks too much of himself although he's never really accomplished any top results to brag about. Maybe that's why Hülkenberg is at the team, he too seems to be a bit of a douche, so maybe Abiteboul and Hülk gets along splendidly.
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  Oct 9 2017 - 12:43
boudy

Posts: 1,168
An gentlemen and fine human being. Good luck jolyon.
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- Oct 8 2017 - 16:10
- f1dave
  
  Posts: 782
  A slow gentleman and fine human being.
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  Oct 8 2017 - 18:20
- Savio
  
  Posts: 145
  Next will be Marcus guys..
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  Oct 8 2017 - 18:29
talktohenry

Posts: 362
Think he did well to get 3 years, but good luck JP.
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- Oct 9 2017 - 10:06
Alonzo

Posts: 66
Yes, I also remember reading something like this from Perez's management 2 seasons ago... That he ended up not going to Renault because they did not like the management situation, and the way the negotiation was handled, sounded like a shot a Abiteboul... That might have been a mistake though (not going to a works team)...
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- Oct 9 2017 - 18:31
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  The advantages of being in a works team is that they have more control over their power unit and generally a more stable economy. However, Renault doesnt have an as competent unit as E.G Merc or Ferrari, and they dont spend enough money on the team itself. So as of now, Renault will be very limited, and Im not sure if they have what it takes to challenge the likes of Force India.
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  Oct 9 2017 - 20:20
- Alonzo
  
  Posts: 66
  Agree about the power unit, I do remember reading about the 2017 budget for each team, and thye are spending close to 300M in 2017, while MERC, McLaren, Ferrari and RB are all 450-500M... Force India has only about 140M only above Sauber & Hass I think...
  It will take 2-3 more years for Renault to be competing for wins, but FI looks topped out....
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  Oct 9 2017 - 21:33