The Renault Sport Formula 1 Team completed their first FP1 and FP2 sessions today on their manufacturer return to Formula 1 in Melbourne on Friday, and is now looking forward to his first F1 qualifying session on Saturday.
Rookie driver Jolyon Palmer completed a total of seventeen laps around the damp Albert Park circuit for his first drive behind the wheel of the RS16 at a Grand Prix. In FP1 Palmer set a fastest lap of 1m35.477s to go fourteenth quickest, but due to inclement weather conditions in FP2, the Brit was only able to complete two installation laps.
The car felt decent for Palmer throughout the sessions, with no surprises cropping up for Renault, with the 2014 GP2 Series champion now looking ahead to qualifying on Saturday.
“That was my first time driving here and Albert Park is a pretty cool circuit with a great street-track feel,” said Palmer. “It’s a bit bumpy and has a decent challenger to it.
“The car felt decent in the wet today, it was pretty balanced throughout both sessions and there was no surprises. There’s plenty of work to be done tomorrow and I’m particularly looking forward to qualifying, especially as that might be my first dry laps here.”
