Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsLotus F1

Palmer ramping up preparation for 2016

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Jolyon Palmer is ramping up his physical preparation for his maiden season in Formula 1 which will kick off in Australia in March 2016.

The 24-year-old Lotus nominee has inherited Romain Grosjean's race seat with the Enstone squad which is expected to be taken over by Renault any day now.

Palmer acquitted himself well this year as a Lotus reserve driver, running in Friday morning free practice on multiple occasions, displaying consistency and speed which highly impressed Lotus staff who announced his promotion to a race seat at the US Grand Prix in Austin.

With his focus now clearly set on 2016, Palmer has marked up his preparation a notch in order to put all the trump cards on his side.

"Everything has stepped up from the moment I was announced with a few races to go," said the 2014 GP2 champion, speaking to Sky Sports.

"We've now got one race to go and I am pushing flat out to make sure everything is covered.

"I've done a lot of time in the car already which is good, so I'll be analysing that a bit more and then training harder than I've ever trained and making sure that by the time it gets to Melbourne that I am in tip-top shape and ready to go."

Palmer believes his numerous Friday outings with Lotus - for which he will once again drive this week - have been fundamental in gaining precious experience given the limited track time which governs F1 testing.

"I've learnt a huge amount. It has been very important I think, because GP2 is a good series and I learnt a huge amount in that and felt ready to step up.

"But getting the track time in a P1 session is really valuable because you are driving the car, but also you are driving it in a meaningful session and doing the work that the race drivers already do so it is different to a test day.

"I am feeling very prepared and am confident to give it a good go."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.