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Palmer optimistic he will be in F1 in 2017

Jolyon Palmer says he is relaxed about his F1 future despite admitting he hasn't opened talks with Renault over retaining his drive for the 2017 season.

The former GP2 Series champion made his F1 debut this season but is yet to get on the scoreboard in a year that has seen the returning Renault team struggle for competitiveness with its RS16.

As it stands, Renault has made no indication of its plans regarding drivers for 2017 though Esteban Ocon and Sergey Sirotkin - both Renault test drivers - have been linked with a possible promotion in place of either Palmer or Kevin Magnussen, while Sergio Perez has also reportedly been approached.

Despite this, Palmer says he is in 'no rush' to instigate talks about 2017 and is happy about the way he is performing at the moment.

"I still think it's early for the team," he said. "I don't think there's anyone here thinking about drivers for next year. Obviously I'm keen to stay on, I'm keen to show what I can do and in every race try and prove myself to stay on. I think there's no rush, we've got a lot to sort out before next year anyway so I'm happy to wait for the moment, as and when, maybe over the summer break, as and when really it's up to the boss."

"I know there are two available seats. I feel fine, I'm driving pretty well at the moment, pretty much everyone in the team can see that as well. Every weekend that goes I'm getting stronger and stronger so I feel OK for the moment."

Palmer came close to his first points of the season in the Hungarian Grand Prix only to spin in the closing stages of the race, while he reached Q2 for the first time in 2016 under the current qualifying format. 

Zdroj: crash.net