Palmer set to lose 2018 Renault seat to Sainz as Toro Rosso-Honda, McLaren-Renault engine deal nears confirmation
Saturday 30 September 2017 08:58, UK
A defiant Jolyon Palmer insists he will stay at Renault for the rest of the season - but is excited about his "different" future in Formula 1.
Carlos Sainz is set to replace Palmer as part of the mega McLaren-Renault, Toro Rosso-Honda engine deal, with confirmation expected at this weekend's Singapore GP.
But Palmer, while accepting that his F1 future lies away from the Enstone team, has denied reports suggesting Sainz could drive for Renault as early as the next race in Malaysia.
"I have a contract for the rest of the year so my response is to show what I can do in the next seven races," Palmer told Sky F1's Ted Kravitz.
"I think there have been suggestions for the last 35 races I might not be at the next one or in the next few. This is nothing new for me. It's water off a duck's back now. Most races it's been this year it's been the case, nothing's changed.
"I'll be in Malaysia. I'll be racing until Abu Dhabi. I know what's happening, I think there will be an announcement in not too long. I'm excited about the future."
Palmer's position at Renault has been under threat throughout a disappointing 2017 campaign, in which he has been severely hampered by reliability and has yet to score a single point.
He earned a one-year extension last season and says he would have been happy to stay put again before Renault made their move for Toro Rosso's Sainz.
"For sure we've had our fair share of bad luck this year," the Briton added. "And on occasion Nico [Hulkenberg] has had the better parts. Generally, I think the reliability has been a problem this year.
"I would have stayed with Renault. I like the team, I've been here three years with Enstone before that as well so it's been a little chapter but it's their prerogative to do what they want."
Palmer, a former GP2 champion, was a reserve driver with Lotus before landing a full-time race seat with the rebranded Renault in 2016 and has been linked with a move to Williams for next year.
"I'm focused on doing the best I can in the car," he explained. "I'm excited for the future, whatever it holds it will be different, so we'll wait and see what happens."
