IN A SPIN: ROOKIE PALMER DENIED FIRST POINT IN FORMULA ONE AFTER LATE MISTAKE IN HUNGARY

Jolyon Palmer labelled yesterday’s Hungarian Grand Prix a disaster after a late spin denied the British rookie the first point of his Formula One career. Palmer, 25, who faces an uncertain future in the sport beyond this season, claimed this week that yesterday’s race would represent his best chance of finishing inside the top 10. After turning in the best drive of his formative grand prix career, the former GP2 champion appeared on course to do exactly that. But with just 21 laps remaining, the Renault driver spun at turn four to fall three places in the order before crossing the line in 12th. “I’m gutted because it was there, and obviously it’s a disaster,” Palmer said. “It was the best drive of my career but then I spun and we didn’t get any points. It should have been the first points of my F1 career. Everything was perfect.” Palmer, courtesy of an aggressive strategy and a quick pit stop by his Renault team, which saw him leapfrog Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg, was 10th and on course to score at least one point before his late mistake. “It was completely in my grasp,” Palmer added. “We had a good strategy, a good pit stop, and the pace was good. I felt great in the car. But then I just lost it.”