Jolyon Palmer describes Renault's takeover of Lotus as "like a big Formula 1 team getting back to life".
Renault completed its takeover of Lotus in December following months of uncertainty, with the returning constructor competing a solid pre-season despite the late confirmation of its deal. Palmer admits the lack of motivation at the team at the end of 2015 reached alarming levels but says it helps put the recent upturn in attitude into sharp focus.
“Since about October and November last year up to now really is a massive difference," Palmer told F1i. "The factory was really ghostly at the end of last year. People were still there, employed, but they didn’t have anything to do.
"We didn't have any materials, we weren’t really making anything, we were just trying to get by with what we had. Morale was really bad because nobody really knew what was going to happen in the future.
"Now suddenly the Renault deal is confirmed, we’ve got fresh investment and really good long-term motivation, planning, expectations and everyone is really excited. The factory is really, really busy again, busier than usual because we are late so it’s flat out.
"But it’s really nice to see now walking through Enstone because everyone’s really excited, working really hard, all the machines are whirring all the time and it feels like a big Formula 1 team getting back to life.”
And Palmer still sees a number of positives for his own personal situation as a result of last year's struggles.
“It was a tough year last year but I think I was in the right team to be honest because it could have all gone to nothing last year because obviously Lotus was right on the edge, but at the same time it was a team that gave me a really good chance.
"I think a lot of other teams it wouldn’t have been so easy to get so many Friday mornings and really prove what I could do so the key to me being here is having the chance on Friday mornings and obviously having a GP2 title to my name as well. And then obviously Renault coming in really gave me an opportunity to be here now racing for this team.”
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