Palmer: Renault drop understandable

Jolyon Palmer says because of the way his Formula 1 season has unfolded it is ‘understandable’ he wasn't re-signed for 2018 but is determined to display his pace for the final six races of the season to fight for his future.

The British driver had his future at Renault confirmed in Singapore when it announced Carlos Sainz would be joining Nico Hulkenberg at the team for the 2018 Formula 1 championship to leave him without a race seat for next season.

While Palmer feels his performance and pace will improve over the final third of the season, demonstrated by his first points finish of 2017 with sixth place at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, he has accepted Renault’s decision to show him the exit.

“I’ve got a car that can score points and I am focused on doing the best job that I can,” Palmer said. “I would have loved it if the team had signed me for next year but with the way that the season has gone it is understandable that it has not happened. It has been a tough year all round.

“I want to go out with my head held high and prove I can do the job. At the end of the day the decision has been made so I’ve got six races to do what I can and I’ve got the kit to do the job.”

Off the back of sixth place in Singapore, Palmer is targeting a strong finish in the remaining flyaway races in Asia and is confident Renault has the fourth-fastest car on the F1 grid.

“The next couple of races should be good for us and even stronger than Singapore,” he said. “I’m still excited for the performance we’ve got as a team and still excited to be racing in a competitive car that I think is the fourth best, especially when we move on to the next few tracks, so there is a lot to be encouraged by. I’m not worried about next year.”