Palmer looking for performance uplift in Monaco

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A two-time winner in GP2 in Monaco, Jolyon Palmer is hoping the Principality will offer a good opportunity for the Renault driver to lift his spirits following a difficult start to his maiden F1 season.

While he was hoping to build on his result in Australia, where he finished just outside the top 10, Bahrain and China generated only disappointment, but gradually Palmer found some consistent footing thereafter although no points were scored in Russia and Spain.

Unfortunately, Palmer's day at the office on Thursday got off to a rocky start as he clipped the barrier at the exit of the chicane, a mishap which terminated prematurely his FP1 session.

Speaking before the minor setback, the British driver said he's optimistic of building on recent progress this weekend.

"I’m pretty happy, I’m enjoying racing in Formula 1," Palmer said.

"I’m happy to be back here as well, at a track that I love. I think I’ve just missed a little bit in qualifying in the last couple, but it’s been hundredths and a couple of tenths in Barcelona, but we had a lot of problems on Friday.

"Yeah, we had a very bad race in China and I didn’t race in Bahrain, but since then I think we are finding some consistency and it’s all coming together better."

Palmer's Renault will hopefully benefit from a set of updates implemented in the Principality, both in the chassis and engine department, but it's driver believes his yellow machine should also perform better on the winding sea-front lay-out.

"I think this track will suit us better already. I think the chassis is not too bad. We’re down on power but obviously Kevin has got the engine upgrade for this weekend, which will help already.

"The team are working really hard back in the factory to find a few tenths on the car and if we do that and a few tenths on engine then I think we’ll certainly moving up closer to the midfield and looking for points more regularly.

With regard to tyres, Pirelli will be introducing its Ultra-soft compound for the very first time but the specific rubber still remains an unknown quantity for Renault as it did not test the purple-lined tyre.

"We’ve never run them so it’s going to be the first chance for us but I think the supersoft was lasting well here.

"It’s very easy on the tyres so I expect a good step in grip, more degradation, the usual thing from a softer tyre. Something new for us."

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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.