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Palmer encouraged by Renault development after recent updates

Jolyon Palmer feels encouraged by the gain that Renault has made in developing its Formula 1 car in recent weeks, setting the team up well for a strong second half of the season after the summer break.

Renault has responded from a difficult first season back in F1 as a works team last year to more than triple its points total through the opening 11 races of 2017.

The close-knit midfield has caused Renault's form to fluctuate from time to time, but Nico Hulkenberg's impressive run to sixth in the British Grand Prix indicated that the French manufacturer is nearing the front of the bunch.

Despite being without points this season, Palmer is impressed by the gains Renault has made in recent weeks, with a new floor at Silverstone being a significant step forward for the team.

"I think we are doing a good job with development. I think the floor was a big one and it's hopefully unlocked a lot of further potential with the car," Palmer said.

"I think that's an important one and it looks to have made a big gain already. It's nice to have that on my car now and that's enough positive for the future.

"If you look at the development from Silverstone and what we can do in the future, then so hopefully we can finish the end of the year better than we started it."

Palmer confirmed that Renault had been working to fix the issue with the floor of its R.S.17 car since testing, and feels it will only enhance the further strides made on the development side.

"We knew it was going to address the floor that we had since the start of the year," Palmer said.

"It was the case of a little bit of a change of approach in the car and trying to address an issue, even for two years, has held us back.

"It's just made the car more drivable and we can now develop in a much better way, so hopefully it has unlocked a bit of a potential."

Zdroj: crash.net