Jolyon Palmer had mixed feelings following qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, with the British driver feeling he could have qualified a few places higher on the grid but for a yellow flag during his final run.
The Renault Sport F1 driver was happy to make it through to the second phase of qualifying at Suzuka, but was disappointed to be caught by yellow flags at Spoon when Carlos Sainz Jr spun, feeling the time he lost in the sector cost him the time that could have seen him higher up the grid.
“On the one hand I’m quite pleased; I think we did well to get into Q2,” said Palmer. “Unfortunately I had a yellow flag on my final lap in the session and that probably cost a couple of tenths, which would have put me 12th or 13th so that’s a little bit disappointing.
“We started 19th and scored a point last weekend in Malaysia, so there is definitely a chance to do the same tomorrow. We’re looking similarly competitive, the race will be long and tyre strategy will play a hand…
“There are a lot of similarities to the last time out so we’ll keep pushing and see what happens.”
