Renault Sport Formula One Team’s Jolyon Palmer experienced a challenging first day of the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco as he missed out on track time.

Jolyon enjoyed a trouble-free FP1, completing 42 laps using Pirelli’s ultra-soft tyres, but a power unit-related issue in FP2 restricted him to just eight further laps.

Jolyon Palmer, #30, R.S.17-03
Free practice 1:  P17, 1:15.949, 42 laps
Free practice 2:  P18, 1:15.616, 8 laps

Jolyon said:  “Monaco’s all about building momentum and getting the laps in, so in that regard it was a positive morning but a less positive afternoon. There’s certainly more pace to come from me and the car, so I’m very eager to get back out on-track, although we have to wait a day longer for FP3 and qualifying here. Obviously the afternoon was unfortunate, but there’s still a lot of potential for the weekend ahead.”

Nick Chester, Renault Sport Formula One Team Technical Director, added: “Today certainly wasn’t the start we wanted for our Monaco weekend. Jolyon experienced a power unit-related issue in the afternoon, which cost him some running. We have some work to do, but we know where improvements can be made looking to qualifying on Saturday.”