Jolyon Palmer has had a Russian Grand Prix weekend to forget so far when after missing most of the third and final free practice sessions due to an engine problem with his Renault. The French based squad did a brilliant job changing the power unit in the two hours before qualifying to make sure the British driver could take part in the session, however, that too ended in disaster.
During the opening 18 minute qually one session, Jolyon made contact with a kerb that pitched his Renault into the barriers and putting him out of qualifying with just one time set, 16th fastest. it was thought he would be penalized for an engine change that would have sent him to the back row of the grid alongside the McLaren of Stoffel Vandoorne, who had a 15 place grid drop.
However it appears as if all is well and no penalty will be applied, leaving him to start in P15.
“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,” he said. “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.”
As he is so far out of position, the team will be looking for every strategic opportunity to make the most of the pace of the car during today's race.
