Renault Sport Formula One Team’s Jolyon Palmer looked to have the pace to qualify inside the top ten for tomorrow’s VTB Russian Grand Prix, despite missing much of the FP3 session as a power unit was changed, however contact with a kerb on his final Q1 lap pitched him into the barriers and out of qualifying.

Jolyon Palmer, #30, R.S.17-03
Qualifying: P16, 1:36.462
FP3: P20, No time set

Jolyon said: “I have to say a big thank you to all my crew and everyone in the garage who has worked so hard over this weekend. They really have been amazing, and now they have a bit more work to do. I was pushing hard and took too much kerb, which pitched me into the barriers. I was on the back foot slightly with missing FP3, but anything can happen in the race, so I hope for a better day.”

Alan Permane, Renault Sport Formula One Team Sporting Director, added: “Unfortunately for Jo, he easily had the pace to charge for Q3 but it was not to be today. He is out of position on the grid, so we will be looking for every strategic opportunity to make the most of the pace of the car in the race.”