Jolyon Palmer’s FP2 session ended in the barriers on Friday, and that was just what the Brit didn’t need at a time when his seat at Renault is in jeopardy.
Renault Sport F1 boss Cyril Abiteboul acknowledged recently that Palmer was now in hot water and under pressure to deliver, having failed to score a single point so far this season.
Palmer’s latest mishap won’t help the 26-year-old build his confidence, but Abiteboul was quick to dismiss the mistake however, pointing to others who were caught out by the Baku’s treacherous and unpredictable nature.
“It’s a bit unfair to link today and the future,” Abiteboul told reporters.
“Today we saw a lot of drivers going a bit outside of the track – a lot. Jo has been one of those at a turn that unfortunately doesn’t forgive. Unlike other turns.”
- Palmer: ‘I’ve been guilty of overdriving the car’
The Frenchman insisted that Renault remained behind its driver, and would support his efforts to turn around his season.