Jolyon Palmer has announced his premature Formula 1 exit via his Instagram. Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix will mark his final race with Renault.
The French manufacturer signed Carlos Sainz Jr to replace Palmer for 2018 following the Italian Grand Prix and it tried to get the Spaniard in for the remaining 2017 rounds.
Palmer seemingly wouldn’t budge and reiterated that he had a contract with the team till the end of the season. However the 26-year-old took to Instagram to announce his exit. His motivation is unclear.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ8cQ9WF1gm/?taken-by=jolyon_palmer
Palmer’s exit opens the door to Sainz to make his Renault debut four races early.
Sainz leaving Toro Rosso allows Daniil Kvyat to return while Pierre Gasly will see out the rest of the season for the Italian outfit, missing the Japanese Super Formula finale.
Palmer was out-qualified by his Renault team-mate Nico Hulkenberg in every round of the 2017 season. During his 36 races for Renault, Palmer scored points on just two occasions.
