Will Palmer, the 19-year-old brother of Renault Formula One driver Jolyon, will return for a second campaign in the highly-competitive Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, with the Briton eyeing a title push in 2017.
After winning the 2015 BRDC F4 championship, Palmer graduated to Eurocup with French front-running outfit R-ace GP. The rookie showed steady improvement over his first season and capped it with a maiden win at the final round in Estoril.
"I'm delighted to be staying with R-Ace GP for a second season in Formula Renault Eurocup for 2017,” Palmer said. “I’ve learnt a huge amount in my first year racing in Europe, and after a strong end to the year as well as a very promising post season testing program, I'm very confident of fighting for the title next year.
“I worked well with R-Ace GP this year and I have absolute confidence in everyone in the team to give me the best opportunity possible to deliver next year.
“It is also exciting to see the Formula Renault Eurocup being expanded for next year. There will be 10 rounds which will include all European Formula One tracks, including Monaco once again which I am massively looking forward to already. There are also some new teams joining the series so I am sure it will be a very competitive year for the championship.”
With Renault keen to strengthen the links between its revived junior programme - the Renault Sport Academy - and Eurocup, the 2017 winner will be added to the French manufacturer’s pool of young drivers.
For over 40 years, the Formula Renault series have helped nurtured young talents on their ascent to F1. Recent Eurocup champions include Williams’ Valtteri Bottas (2008), McLaren-Honda’s Stoffel Vandoorne (2012), and Red Bull reserve driver Pierre Gasly (2013).
I will be racing in Formula Renault Eurocup once again in 2017 with @R_aceGP, let's take that title! pic.twitter.com/Zk8G0ogaPQ
— Will Palmer (@WillPalmerr) 13 décembre 2016
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