Sainz to replace Palmer at Renault after Suzuka

Jolyon Palmer will not race for Renault in the final four rounds of the season after announcing the Japanese Grand Prix will be his last race for the team, with Carlos Sainz replacing him.

The Briton has struggled in his two years in Formula 1 so far, and Renault had already confirmed Sainz would take his seat in 2018. The team was keen to bring Sainz on board as early as the Malaysia Grand Prix – with Pierre Gasly replacing him at Toro Rosso – but was unable to agree a deal with Palmer for his early departure at the time.

However, Palmer has now taken to Instagram to announce he will not race for Renault beyond tomorrow's race at Suzuka.

"Tomorrow's Japanese GP will be my last race for Renault," Palmer wrote. "With my grid penalty I'll be starting near the back but I will be giving it my all as always. Thanks everyone for the support during the last two years, it means a lot!"

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Expanding later in a press release from Renault, Palmer added: "It's been an extremely challenging season and I've been through a lot in the last three years, but it's been a tremendous journey overall with the team.

"I can look back proudly at the performance in the second half of last season, my first point in Malaysia and of course reaching a career high of sixth place in Singapore this year. I wish the team all the best for the future. My immediate focus is now on achieving the best possible result in the Japanese GP, and then I can assess my options for the future."

Following Palmer's announcement, Renault confirmed Sainz will replace Palmer for the remaining four races alongside Nico Hulkenberg, with Cyril Abiteboul paying tribute to the 2014 GP2 champion.

"I would like to thank Jolyon for his commitment to the team and his professionalism," Abiteboul said. "Since Renault's return to Formula 1, Jolyon has been highly dedicated in an evolving environment. He has shown great personal qualities and we wish him all the best in his future career."

At Toro Rosso, Gasly will retain the seat he took over from Daniil Kvyat for the past two races, with Kvyat being recalled as Sainz's replacement until the end of the season in a line-up that is likely to continue into 2018. That rules Gasly out of the title-deciding Super Formula round at Suzuka on the same weekend as the United States Grand Prix.

Palmer will start the Japanese Grand Prix from 18th on the grid as a result of a grid penalty for changing power unit components.