Palmer learned of Sainz Renault deal on the internet
Jolyon Palmer said he was first alerted to Carlos Sainz's 2018 Renault Formula 1 deal when he read about it on the internet last weekend.
The team officially confirmed on Friday that the Spaniard will join Renault next season, on loan from Red Bull.
Palmer says he has nothing to lose in the final seven races of the season now that he knows that he is not staying at Renault.
"I knew when I read it on Autosport," he said. "And then I knew it was true as well, I spoke to some people. That was it.
"Of course I knew that with the job I've done this year, the team is looking for other people, because it's been a tough year. But you never know until it's over, I could have felt the same way at times last year as well.
"I'm still focussed on trying to do the best I can every time I get in the car. Nothing changes, I still want to go out with my head held high, and finish the year as well as I can.
"There's nothing to lose. It's just a chance for me to show what I can do."
An attempt by Renault to replace Palmer with Sainz before the end of this year – possibly by the next race in Malaysia – has so far come to nothing, with sources suggesting that a solid contract is keeping him in the seat.
Asked if it was a strange situation to be with a team that didn't appear to want him, he said: "I don't know where you understand that from, but I'm just not going to comment on that."
Palmer insists that he has yet to turn his focus to 2018.
"I haven't though too much. I'm quite excited for next year, I know it'll be something different, I know what I'm not going to be doing. I've got a bit of time to try and decide. I'm not worried about anything in the future. It's an exciting time.
"Obviously I've only known this for not that long a time. I've been focussing on staying with Renault still.
"Now obviously that isn't happening, and I can look at other opportunities inside and outside of F1. I'm in no rush to decide what I'm going to do."
Share Or Save This Story
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
F1 pundit warns against early Kimi Antonelli verdict after British GP
Jolyon Palmer: Charles Leclerc could be "absolute menace" to Mercedes in Lewis Hamilton's title bid
Williams is emerging as one of the “biggest disappointments”, according to Jolyon Palmer
“I went back to the car and cried” – Esteban Ocon opens up about his unexpected year on F1 sidelines
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
On this day: Michael Schumacher’s final unsportsmanlike manoeuvre
Brennan Poole to leave Alpha Prime Racing; team owners 'disappointed' to see him go
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Winners and losers from NASCAR Cup at Charlotte after dramatic finish
Charles Leclerc admits he missed a chance against Max Verstappen – but not the obvious one
'Senior moment' or breakdown of trust? The implications of Hamilton's Singapore GP meltdown
What we learned from the 2026 F1 Singapore GP sprint and qualifying
How Honda plans a return to being an F1 powerhouse
Why Red Bull's 'crazy' power unit success matters so much for F1
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments