Will Palmer salvaged a second place finish at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday after misfortune cost him points on Saturday after contact with team-mate Robert Shwartzman damaged his front wing.
The R-ace GP driver was running fourth when he struck the rear of Shwartzman’s car on the exit of turn one after they both were battling with Daniel Ticktum, with the subsequent damage seeing him lose pace and drop down the order to twelfth at the chequered flag.
Palmer took advantage of a battle between Gabriel Aubry and Max Defourny at turn two on the opening lap of Sunday’s second race to jump from fourth to second, a position he would hold until the end, although he did not have the pace to challenge race winner Sacha Fenestraz.
“It’s been a mixed weekend at the Red Bull Ring,” said Palmer. “The pace was strong, and in both qualifying sessions I was second in my group, only a tenth off fastest.
“In race one, I was running fourth early on but unfortunately picked up front wing damage and could only finished 12th. In race two I managed to move up from fourth to second on lap one and I held that position throughout to take another podium.”
After the summer break, Palmer will be looking to return to winning ways at Paul Ricard at the end of August, with the Briton aiming to close down the twenty-nine point advantage Fenestraz has over him.
“Paul Ricard is a track I go well at and really enjoy driving so I’m aiming for a return to the top step when we go there in a month’s time,” said Palmer.
