Jolyon Palmer targets beating Lotus team-mates in practice outings

Jolyon Palmer is hoping to prove himself worthy of an F1 race seat by beating Romain Grosjean or Pastor Maldonado during his Practice One outings.

The reigning GP2 champion will drive for the Enstone team at a number of races this season having made his debut in China last weekend.

At Shanghai Palmer was just 0.6 seconds behind Maldonado despite only having one day of testing in the E23 prior the event.

The Briton’s outings this season will see him run a similar plan to the other Lotus driver and he hopes that will allow a direct comparison to be made.

"I want to be really pushing the race drivers. That's the aim," said Palmer.

"I'm pretty much running on the same run plan as those guys. It's not like we've seen in FP1 sessions before with other drivers where they have been on quali settings, engine turned up or low fuel.

"This year there's a direct comparison and I want to show why I should be racing next year."

Palmer admits he misses competing this year, but says he wouldn’t want to jeopardise his F1 future by taking any offer.

"I want to race, but only if I get the right offer," added Palmer.

"If I get a good offer to do something that would be a good career move for me then I'd like to race.

"It's about keeping sharp. It's the one thing I'm missing this year.

"I'm loving working with Lotus and being in F1, but I'd love to be racing as well, so if I get a good offer I'd love to."

Palmer, though, is not actively seeking another drive because of his commitment to Lotus, adding: "My main focus is all here and I'm really busy anyway.

"If something came my way then I would definitely consider it, but my main priority is Lotus and I will not compromise anything I do here by racing elsewhere.

"But if there is something that came along that could fit in with this then I'd be happy to do it."

Palmer will once again be at the wheel of the Lotus E23 in Bahrain in the first practice session of the weekend.

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