Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsLotus F1

Palmer yet to chase 2016 race seat

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Jolyon Palmer says he is yet to chase a race seat in 2016 but doesn't want to remain as Lotus' third driver.

The 2014 GP2 champion has taken part in a number of FP1 sessions for Lotus and is currently in the middle of a run of five in a row during the remainder of the European season. Speaking during his day testing for the team in Austria, Palmer says he is happy with the track time he gets but does not plan on waiting for another year for a race seat.

"I’m pleased with my role here," Palmer said. "I always say it’s important to get as much track time as possible. The team is giving quite a lot at the moment, which is really good to me. This was I need to do to learn and improve.

"I don’t want to be a third driver next year. I want to be racing. But for now, at least I’m happy that of all the third drivers out there I’m getting the most running."

However, Palmer says he has yet to start serious talks with Lotus regarding his future, and when asked if he is talking to any other teams, he replied: "No.

"Obviously I’m talking to Lotus because I want to race with Lotus. But I’m talking with them because I’m working with them all the time. It’s really early days.

"I think over the next few months, people will start talking about next year, but it’s normally after the summer break really. For now, I’m just trying to do the best job I can. There is a long way to go really, but just trying to impress everyone I can."

For live coverage of the second day of testing in Spielberg, click here

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.