Jolyon Palmer took to the track behind the wheel of Renault Sport Formula One Team’s R.S.17 for the first official practice sessions of the 2017 season on the 16-turn, 5.3km Albert Park Circuit today (24 March).

The 26-year-old Brit was denied significant track time due to a CV boot replacement in FP1, then an accident in FP2.

Jolyon Palmer, #30, R.S.17-01
Free practice 1: P19, 1:28.585, 6 laps
Free practice 2: P20, 1:27.549, 4 laps

Jolyon said: “Sadly, it was a pretty short day for me in terms of time in the car. We had a minor technical issue in the first session then I had an off in FP2, which unlike FP1 required more than one part replacing. I’m not sure exactly what happened and we’ll be having a close look at the data. I feel for my crew, as they have a decent amount of work to do.

“Albert Park is a pretty cool circuit and even more so in these latest cars. I’m hopeful of more track time tomorrow, but we’ll be on the back foot heading into qualifying after only ten laps today.”

Nick Chester, Renault Sport Formula One Team Technical Director, added: “It was great to see the R.S.17 on-track for its first grand prix sessions, although Jo’s FP1 was shortened a little due to a split in a CV boot and it’s unfortunate that he had a shunt in FP2. There’s a reasonable amount of work to do to his car, but nothing too drastic so we’re looking forward to seeing what’s possible in our first qualifying session of the season tomorrow.”