Jolyon Palmer started at Lotus in 2016

Jolyon Palmer will not have experienced a totally blank day in Austin, Texas. While the Briton had to drive in free practice 1 instead of Romain Grosjean, the former 2 GP2014 Series champion had finally let the Frenchman assume his starting role, and had to progress in free practice 2.

The weather conditions decided otherwise, but good news finally arrived for Palmer. The 24-year-old driver will start in 2016 alongside Pastor Maldonado, confirmed earlier last September. He will take the place of Romain Grosjean, who left to take up the Haas challenge F1 team.

“I am obviously very happy to be able to race in Formula 1 next year, Palmer comments. Lotus F1 Team has given me a fantastic opportunity this season and I thank them for helping me with my development. They put their trust in me for a crucial season in their development. I enjoyed and learned a lot from my year as a third driver and I look forward to putting that into practice as a starter in 2016.”

“We have seen the hard work and talent of Jolyon this season, in the way he approached his role as third driver. » comments for his part Gérard Lopez, president and Team Principal of Lotus F1 Team, who is still awaiting the official response from Renault, in his intention to redeem the formation ofenstone.

This formalization closes a new door for Kevin Magnussen, recently released by McLaren.