---
title: "Palmer describes ‘strange’ final weekend at Renault"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/10/08/palmer-describes-strange-final-weekend-renault/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyran Gibbons"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2017-10-08T09:17:49Z"
modified: "2017-10-08T09:17:49Z"
---

# Palmer describes ‘strange’ final weekend at Renault

Jolyon Palmer finished the Japanese Grand Prix in 12th place, in what he has described as a ‘strange’ final weekend with Renault in Formula 1.

On Saturday evening, Palmer announced that the race at Suzuka would be his last with the team. He will be replaced by Toro Rosso incumbent Carlos Sainz Jr for the remainder of the season.

Palmer’s sixth place finish at last month’s Singapore Grand Prix remains his only points scoring finish of 2017. Across 36 F1 starts, Palmer has only twice finished in the points-paying positions.

“It’s been a strange weekend knowing that this was going to be the last one with the team,” Palmer said. “I’ve been with the team now for three years so it’s a shame not to be going to Austin with them.

“Carlos is signed for next year and Cyril \[Abiteboul\] made it clear that he wanted him in the car this year.

“After this race there is a two week gap, so I think it made sense for this to be the time that we part ways. It’s a shame for me to not finish the season having been with the team for a while, but I respect the decision and I wish the team the best for the future – I wish Carlos the best.

“We will go our separate ways and I will work on something else for my future.”

Palmer carried a 20-place grid penalty into his final race. His car was fitted with its fifth internal combustion engine, sixth turbocharger and sixth MGU-H following FP2.

Regarding his race through the field, Palmer stated; “From 18th on the grid, I think finishing 12th is about as good as we could of done, apart from if we didn’t have the VSC at the end \[deployed for Lance Stroll’s stricken Williams\] and had one more lap.

“I was four seconds a lap quicker than \[Felipe\] Massa and right behind him at the end so we maybe could have had a point. Nonetheless, I’m happy to have seen the chequered flag.”