Jolyon Palmer is sure he will eventually “move on” from the disappointment of losing his Renault seat after completing his final race with the French manufacturer on Sunday in Japan.
After qualifying, it was confirmed the Briton would be leaving the Enstone-based outfit with four races to go, with Carlos Sainz starting his loan spell with the team from the next round in Austin.
For Palmer, it brings a pretty miserable 2017 to a premature end after being out-classed by teammate Nico Hulkenberg on track but also suffering from a myriad of reliability problems although he did at least have a problem-free final weekend.
“I knew I was going to have an engine penalty here and from 18th on the grid, I think finishing 12th is about as good as we could have done,” he said. “If we’d had one more lap then I was four seconds quicker than Massa and right on his arse at the end, so we maybe could have had a point. Nonetheless, I’m happy to have seen the flag.”
On his in-lap back to the pits, the 2015 GP2 champion thanked the Renault team on the radio and upon his return to the paddock went a little deeper into his thoughts both currently and about the future.
“When I’m sat on the plane on the way back home, probably it will sink in that I certainly won’t be back for Renault and maybe not in Formula 1 again,” Palmer commented. “It’s a shame, but I’ll move on. There’s plenty more to life out there, I think, and I’m about to find out what it is.
As for his exit from the sport, he added: “That’s Formula 1, these things happen,” and talking to Sky Sports he was content with the decision Renault had made.
“It’s been pretty clear that Carlos is signed for next year and Cyril [Abiteboul, Renault managing director] made it clear he wanted to put him in the car this year as well. After this race is a couple of weeks gap and it made sense for this to be the time to part ways.
“It’s been a bit of a strange weekend knowing this was going to be the last one with the team,” he admitted. “I’ve been with the team now three years. It’s a shame not to be going to Austin with them but I respect the decision and wish the team still the best for the future.
“We go our separate ways and I’ll work on something else for my future.”
