Palmer: Renault not giving Magnussen and I enough credit

In the wake of Renault announcing that Nico Hulkenberg will be joining the team from Force India next year, Palmer and Magnussen now know that at least one of them will be dropped at the end of this season.

For Palmer, there is a sense of frustration that, despite battling on with a difficult car, Renault’s focus has appeared to be on luring drivers from elsewhere for next season.

“I think neither of us are getting enough credit to be honest,” said the Briton.

“I think Kevin has done some great races as well. I think he has proven in 2014 what he can do in a good car.

"He finished second in his first race when the car was there to finish second, and he outqualified Jenson Button over the course of the year.

“Now, two years on, of course we are both struggling because the car is not really there. But he has done a good job this year and lost a bit of credit from where he was in 2014.”

He added: “Neither of us have got the credit we deserved in a difficult car, which is proved by the fact that at least one of us will replaced.

"I think the car has been tricky and both of us have both done well, with mistakes, but at certain points we have been doing a good job.”

Other options

Palmer says his priority is on trying to convince Renault to take him for 2017, but he is equally aware that opportunities at Force India and Manor could pass him by if he waits too long.

“I think definitely I want to stay with Renault, but I need to look elsewhere too, because clearly someone is going to be disappointed at the end of the day,” he said.

“I want to stay in Formula 1. I want to stay with Renault firstly. I have got, from my point of view, to do the best I can every weekend, to prove why I should be here.

"But I need to be looking around because there are other options out there as well.”

When asked if he is optimistic about getting a seat somewhere else if his chances of staying at Renault disappear, he said: “It’s difficult to say, really. I don’t know.

“I think there is a lot that is going to happen. My whole focus has been on Renault and still is, but now we need to look around and see.

“Obviously the Force India seat has been closed until last week, but that is now a good option.

"The car is pretty quick this year, so I think the main focus is doing a good job here and there is still a seat here.”