F1: Palmer resassured Renault future safe

Jolyon Palmer has been categorically reassured by Renault management his future with the Formula 1 team is safe for this season.

Following the Russian Grand Prix, speculation arose Palmer could lose his F1 seat to reserve Esteban Ocon, who will drive the RS16 in first practice for the Spanish GP and on the second day of next week's in-season test at the Catalunya circuit.

Although Palmer has endured a tough start to his rookie campaign with Renault, he is unconcerned by the rumors.

Asked by Autosport about the situation, he replied: "I don't know where that rumor came from to be honest, but it doesn't faze me. I saw after Bahrain someone had said something, and that was after one good race in Melbourne, and I didn't even race in Bahrain [the car sustaining a hydraulic failure on the formation lap]. But I've been told categorically by management everything is fine.

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"I've only had four races, and there have been mixed results, but I'm looking forward to the future basically."

As to whether he is in the team and contracted for the season, Palmer replied "Yeah!"

Given his situation, Palmer feels it allows him to brush aside the speculation, adding: "I don't mind. It doesn't affect anything I do."

"I know where I stand, and the team know where we all stand. I'm just focused on doing my own job, and if I do it well then I guess people will stop talking."

In light of what unfolded with Red Bull and Toro Rosso recently, with Max Verstappen and Daniil Kvyat swapping seats, it has highlighted how quickly situations can change.

"It's a different team, a different situation, and they are all contracted with Red Bull," Palmer said. "Every driver's contract is probably quite different, especially those guys with two teams and four drivers. But all that's gone on [including his own situation] is what I've come to expect. It's what I saw from the outside, and now I'm seeing it on the inside. Honestly, I was a bit surprised after Bahrain to be questioned. China was obviously a very tough weekend which didn't help, but ultimately I don't care. As I say, I know my own situation, and I'm just here to do a good job."

Originally on Autosport.com