Palmer shines despite thwarted qualifying

Jolyon Palmer looked all set for a brilliant result in qualifying this afternoon before a gearbox issue thwarted the Renault driver's efforts.

Palmer has unsuccessfully chasing a good result this year following a troubled campaign marked by mistakes, mechanical woes and outside pressure to see him perform.

The Briton's RS17 enjoys at Spa exactly the same spec as team mate Nico Hulkenberg's car, and Palmer put it to good use, until troubles crept in once again.

"It's such a shame as we were going great guns out there," said a disappointed Palmer who wasn't sure if his a gearbox issue would warrant a change and a grid penalty

"I think Q1/Q2 was easy through, and then both my laps in Q2 would have put seventh on the grid. So to not even take part in Q3, it's disappointing to be tenth, but at least we have to try and stay there and not take a penalty."

• Record-setting Hamilton dominates Spa qualifying

Under pressure to deliver a string of results to help salvage his seat at Renault, and perhaps his F1 career, Palmer knows he must make the most of any opportunity thrown his way.

"I've got to be happy with that qualifying really, compared to where we've been. I think the whole weekend has been really good since FP1.

"I was just happy with the car, had a great feeling all the way through. I think we've done a good job as a team.

"We've just got to get it back in one piece tomorrow and get some points."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter