Jolyon Palmer was left disappointed with the outcome of the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after being forced to make three pit stops as he struggled with tyre degradation at the Yas Marina Circuit.
The Renault Sport Formula 1 Team racer was last of the classified finishers in seventeenth on Sunday, with the Briton’s race also being compromised by a clash with Carlos Sainz Jr at turn seventeen that not only broke his front wing but also earned Palmer a five second time penalty, which ultimately did not matter due to finishing at the back of the field.
Palmer felt his car had good pace, at least early in the stints, and was running as high as eleventh in the opening laps and keeping up with one of the Williams Martini Racing drivers before his extreme tyre degradation kicked in.
“I had a really good start – up to eleventh – and was keeping pace with the Williams for a while, but unfortunately the tyre degradation was unbelievable for us,” said Palmer. “The overall pace was okay, but the tyres were running out, which meant I had to do three stops.
“I was trying to fight with everyone through the race but I had no grip which makes it very difficult. I tried to pass Carlos as he left a gap, but he braked a bit early and I had no grip to slow down. It’s a real shame.”
