Fired up from his best performance of the season in the Hungarian Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer heads to Hockenheim, Germany with the Renault Sport R.S.16 showing genuine pace after a breakthrough weekend at the Hungaroring.


How was the Budapest weekend?

It was easily my best race ever, a perfect weekend bar that one corner. The strategy was really good. The pit stops were fantastic. Everything came together – we didn't luck into our performance, which shows we have the pace and can do it again. We've made a big breakthrough so I think it will carry on for another couple of races. My first F1 points were there for the taking in Hungary and I didn't take them. I’m very eager to redress that situation in Germany.

It’s painful to look back on. I was well-placed in P10, I had the pace on those around me and I was driving really within myself.  I wasn't exactly hanging anything out and hadn't had any big moments, everything was under control but then I lost the car in Turn 4. It’s difficult for me to understand why. I hadn’t experienced oversteer the whole race in that corner and then I turned in and lost the car completely. I had a massive snap and then I was pointing backwards.


What are your thoughts on Hockenheim?

It’s a circuit I haven’t raced at so much, as I’ve raced there only for two weekends previously. The two big features that stand out are the very long straight and the stadium section. Despite the changes to it over the years, it still has a really old-school feel to it, especially the arena section, which is very narrow and how close the fans can be there as well. It has a really nice flow, especially the second half of the lap, and a lot of slow and medium speed corners, which I quite like.

 
Do you enjoy racing in Germany?

There are a lot of passionate fans who come from all over the country and they really know how to enjoy the weekend. The campsites can be quite something to behold. It’s the last race before the August break so I may well treat myself to a nice German beer on the Sunday night!