In a move that has been in the works for weeks, Jolyon Palmer will make his final Formula One appearance for Renault this weekend in Japan.
Renault Sport has seen great performance throughout the 2017 season from their lead driver Nico Hulkenberg. For their junior driver Jolyon Palmer, however, it has been more of a struggle.
Many have been calling for Palmer to exit the team early, with Carlos Sainz Jr. set to join the team in 2018. Now, that move will finally happen following Formula One‘s Japanese Grand Prix.
Jolyon Palmer has confirmed via social media on Saturday that this weekend’s race at the Suzuka Circuit will be his last with the Renault factory team. Carlos Sainz Jr. will take over the second seat at Renault Sport beginning at the United States Grand Prix in two weeks time at Circuit of the Americas. It will be a sort of preview for Sainz, as he will drive for the team full-time in 2018.
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Palmer has raced with Renault Sport for the last two seasons, beginning with the team when the French marque re-entered the sport as a manufacturer. However, his performance over the last two seasons has left the team wanting more, hence the move for Sainz in the coming year. Palmer does not have a ride lined up in Formula One for the next season yet, though he is rumored to be considering a move to IndyCar in the next year.
Sainz, meanwhile, should enjoy an early move from the junior Red Bull team to a top ride with Renault. It will also open up a seat at Scuderia Toro Rosso for Daniil Kvyat, who has sat out the last two Grands Prix in favor of Pierre Gasly. This would also seem to confirm Gasly for the remainder of the 2017 season with Toro Rosso.
This certainly does put more pressure on Carlos Sainz Jr. to perform in better equipment. While Palmer was unable to have consistent performances with Renault, Sainz will likely be expected to contend for points paying positions regularly. Meanwhile, the return of Kvyat to Toro Rosso will make the Russian the senior member of the team. Being outperformed by Gasly will not be an option for the former Red Bull Racing driver.
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What do you think of Jolyon Palmer’s performance with Renault Sport? Has it warranted him landing a new ride in Formula One? Or will he be moving on to another racing series like IndyCar?