Palmer: Progress, recent form earned Renault extension

Jolyon Palmer feels the rate of progress he has shown over his rookie Formula One campaign as well as his recent form are the main reasons why Renault elected to keep him for the 2017 season.

With team-mate Kevin Magnussen about to join Haas F1 Team and Esteban Ocon on his way to Force India, the Briton was confirmed alongside Nico Hulkenberg on Wednesday.

“I discovered Thursday after Mexico,” Palmer told reporters ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix. “The week after Mexico I got the call from [team principal] Fred [Vasseur] who said it was decided. I am absolutely delighted.

“The deciding factor I think has been my rate of progress, recent form obviously, working hard with the team, putting in a lot of hours at the factory as well. The rest is up to him, but clearly recent form is one of the biggest things, and it has been getting better and better.”

“I thought it would be between me and Kev. My recent form has been stronger, in the second half of the year and especially in Mexico I did a better race. I felt off the back of all these things there was a chance there, but of course you never really know what is in the minds of the decision makers.”

Palmer had always known his initial contract with Renault was only for the 2016 season. The former GP2 Series winner, who was also linked to a move to Sauber or Force India, admits the extension takes a weigh off his shoulders.

“It is a bit of a relief; it is nice knowing what I am doing next year. I have two more races this year. I still want to do as well as I can in them, and I want to get another points finish and we are on a good amount of form so I want to keep that up.

“But the pressure is slightly less because I know I am going to be here next year, and I look forward to that as well. It is a nice feeling.

“For me this year was a great chance to show what I can do. I was on a one year deal, and the car was not fantastic this year. So the object for me clearly at the start of the year was to be with Renault next year.

“And now I have done that, I am sure that the team is going to move forward from now on. I have showed what I can do in F1 already, so now I am setting my sights higher and I want to be the best I can.”

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