Palmer: “The team is revitalized”
By acquiring Lotus at the end of last year, Renault saved the team from certain death. Former team member Jolyon Palmer, a full-time driver in 2016, already notices changes.
Reserve and test driver in 2015, Jolyon Palmer was promoted in 2016 by securing a full-time seat with the new Renault team.
After a disappointing and frustrating 2015 season with Lotus, the young Briton is already noticing the beneficial effects of this takeover and Renault’s influence on the progress to come throughout the year: “The atmosphere in the factory changed immediately. Very quickly, all the machines were in action and components arrived. Morale is high, focused on the future. The team is revitalized. It is starting to move forward again. After a difficult end to the season, we will experience a transition year and I must give my best as the team develops day by day. The potential is enormous.”
A situation that might put pressure on Palmer’s shoulders, but the 25-year-old driver is confident in himself and will use his knowledge of the team to do his best this year: *The 2015 season was more intense than expected and I was able to see how much the drivers were solicited. It’s not just the circuit, but also the travel, the time at the factory, and the various events. Being now within an official team, with dealerships around the globe, we are going to be very busy with the Renault family. It’s a workload inherent to a driver’s life, but I am convinced that I will have enriching experiences and encounters throughout the year. It will be busy, but I hope to have a very good year.*
The 2014 GP2 champion has in any case physically prepared himself to tackle the challenges of a full F1 season: « I devoted my winter to intense training. When you can’t drive, it’s the perfect opportunity to work on your physical condition. »
