Palmer turns down offer to give up Renault seat
- Published on 25 Sep 2017 11:42
-
- By: Rob Veenstra
Jolyon Palmer looks set to keep his race seat at Renault for the rest of the 2017 season. Sources report that the British driver and his father Jonathan turned down the French team's offer of $3 million to give up the seat to Carlos Sainz for the remaining six races of this year.
Indeed, Renault has now issued its official preview of this weekend's Malaysian grand prix, quoting Palmer as saying he is looking forward to Sepang. "The car keeps getting better, I'm certainly improving too so we'll aim to get another good result," he said.
However, there remains a chance Renault could increase its offer to 'pay out' Palmer and his sponsors, amid rumours the driver's camp is pushing for a $7 million fee. But Spaniard Sainz also seems confident he will stay at Toro Rosso for Malaysia and beyond rather than do an earlier Renault switch.
"No one has said anything about that to me," he told Onda Cero radio. "I think it would be better to stay in Toro Rosso, completely focusing with the team on completing the season with good performances," Sainz added.
10
Replies (11)
Login to replyRindtchamp
Posts: 304
Selfish jerk, he knows his time is limited and he's out, no other team is daft enough to want him after all the pitiful performances he's put in over the past 2 yrs.
Enjoy these 6 races kid, they will be your last in F1 and you'll go down in history as being as useless as your father was ;)
Barron
Posts: 625
I think that's a completely unecessary and harsh assessment. What would you do? F1 is a pirhana pool and he is right to get as much money as he can out of Renault because his F1 career seems pretty much over. By the way, both he and his father are true gentlemen who have always been fair to everyone. Selfish? I don't think so.
Hombibi
Posts: 137
@Rindt: Looking at Palmer senior's career he does not strike me as useless at all..
To J Palmer I say don't let yourself be kicked out of your seat, by anyone, ever. Its not the boy-scouts, hang in there as long as you can..
Mr N71
Posts: 31
Exactly. He was GP2/ F2 Champion 2014 wha shouldn't he be in F1 and he did a good rookie season in F1 in a lousy car.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Good for him. I don't think he should've been offered the seat in the first place last year, but he was, so now they have to live with that decision or do right by him.
If he can have a good showing in the remaining races, I could see him hanging on somewhere as a test/reserve driver, and if and when 2 or 3 new teams enter, he may get another chance if he keeps his name fresh in the paddock.
Mr N71
Posts: 31
Well... he was way better than MAG in his first season
Jutlandia
Posts: 191
With his back against the wall, that's the only thing he can do.
Give the best performance and make himself atractable to other teams, also with dad's money.
Orchide
Posts: 82
Well, what is he aiming to win by refusing the deal?
If he want another seat it would probably be better to accept the deal and be a team player. What is the other teams thinking about Palmer when he is refusing to give up his seat. Don't think it's positive...
Barron
Posts: 625
A 'team player'? In F1? That's the way you get shafted..You have to dig in and look after yourself. Screw the team as they'll screw you first chance they get. It's always been the same.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I disagree Orchide. By keeping his seat, he has more of a shot at proving himself, thus making it more likely for him to grab a seat at another team should he somehow step it up.
Hombibi
Posts: 137
I don't think it's about team playing here. I mean why does he have to succumb when his team is suddenly not team playing anymore? It is as Calle.Itw writes, he has more chances to prove himself inside the car than outside.