Palmer: 2017 Renault 'looks awesome and is quick'

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Having tested the 2017 Renault in the simulator, Jolyon Palmer says next year's car "looks awesome" and will be more challenging to drive.

2017 sees the introduction of new aerodynamic regulations as well as wider tyres in an attempt to lower lap times by up to five seconds. Having been confirmed as staying at Renault next season last week, Palmer has viewed the car in development and driven it in the simulator, with the Briton impressed by what he has seen.

"I’ve seen the wind tunnel model and it looks awesome!" Palmer said of the 2017 car. "It’s going to be a great looking car. I’ve driven it on the sim and it’s quick. Of course, the new rules are the same for everyone, and we won’t know how we stack-up against our rivals until we hit the track in Barcelona, but the speeds are higher, the car is more challenging to drive and I think it’s going to be a great spectacle when we race next year."

And Palmer says he is motivated to continue his own progress in preparation for 2017, feeling he has improved as his rookie season has gone on.

"It’s a nice feeling as I have my 2017 drive all sorted especially as I’m continuing with Renault Sport Formula One Team. I have every incentive to bow out this year with a good result, then work hard over the winter and come back next year stronger than ever.

"I’m really very happy to be continuing with the team, especially as it will be for my third season working with Enstone. I’ve learnt a lot this year and I think the second half of this year has been pretty strong. I enjoying working with everyone in the team and I know we’re going places in the future."

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.