Paddock rumors are inauspiciously conveying the message that Jolyon Palmer could be on his way out at Renault should he fail to perform to the team's expectations this weekend.
The Brit has endured a difficult time this season and has been clearly outpaced by team mate Nico Hulkenberg who has scored points in three races in 2017 while Palmer has failed to achieve a single top-10 finish.
Circumstances and technical gremlins have contributed to the 26-year-old's difficult state of affairs but Palmer also admits his performance has been underwhelming compared to the potential of Renault's RS17.
"It's positive to see the car's good, but when you're out in Q1 and your team-mate's up high in Q3 it's hurting more because you can see what's capable," said Palmer.
"But there wasn't so much between us in Barcelona, it was exaggerated Saturday and Sunday, so I know what the car's capable of and so it's up to me to deliver now."
Palmer initiated his career in F1 last season with a string of disappointing results before turning his year around. But he may not have that luxury this year as his employer loses patience.
"It’s not how I wanted the year to start, it was here [in Monaco] last year where I had the final straw when I ended up in the wall and I thought, ‘this has got to change’.
"I’ve already thought that many times this year, but hopefully it [the situation] will [improve], it’s just a matter of putting a weekend together.
"I think Barcelona on paper was very bad, but the reality was not so bad, so it’s just it needs to come together and then we’ll be there or thereabouts."
"We’ve also had other external issues that I didn’t have so much this time last year.
"I’m disappointed with how it’s gone, but I’m ready to turn it around, I think it’s not that far away from putting it together, and then I can get into a cycle and kick on like last year."
Unfortunately, it may be a case of too little too late for Jolyon.
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