FLOP JOLYON IS PALMED OFF

DRIVE TIME: England opener Mark Stoneman END OF ROAD: Palmer CARLOS SAINZ will replace under-performing Briton Jolyon Palmer for the last four races of the season, Renault revealed yesterday.

Sainz, 23, was due to join from Toro Rosso at the end of the season but Renault said that they and Palmer had now agreed to end their relationship after today’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Palmer, 26, said: “The Japanese GP will be my last race for Renault.

“It’s been an extremely challenging season and I’ve been through a lot in the last three years, but it’s been a tremendous journey overall with the team.

“I can look back proudly at the performance in the second half of last season, my first point in Malaysia and, of course, reaching a career high of sixth place in Singapore this year.

“My immediate focus is now on achieving the best possible result in the Japanese GP and then I can assess my options for the future.”

Sainz’s place at Toro Rosso will be taken by Daniil Kvyat, 23, in a reprieve for the Russian who was dropped for Frenchman Pierre Gasly last month. The two will now be team-mates at the next race, the US Grand Prix.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton qualified on pole for this morning’s race at Suzuka with Sebastian Vettel second and Daniel Ricciardo third.