Mistake has not shaken confidence of Renault’s Palmer ahead of Hockenheim

JOLYON PALMER is confident of bouncing back from his costly spin at the Hungarian Grand Prix by cracking the top 10 for the first time in his career on Sunday.

Palmer, a 25-year-old British rookie, was set to open his pointsscoring account in Formula 1 before he spun from 10th place at the Hungaroring with only 21 laps remaining.

But earlier this week, Renault’s team principal Fred Vasseur gave his backing to Palmer despite his error costing the team only their second finish in the top 10 this season.

“It was frustrating, and on Sunday evening I was very disappointed, but the reaction of the team was very good,” said Palmer.

“I made a mistake which was costly because I was in a top10 position, but I finished 12th which is my second-best result.

“I hadn’t put a foot wrong apart from that mistake during the whole weekend, but it shows the potential and what I can do. Budapest should carry over here, so we should be positive, and have another crack at the top 10.”

Palmer, who will be replaced by the team’s French reserve driver Esteban Ocon in opening practice for the German Grand Prix in Hockenheim today, will be out of contract at the end of the season and he is yet to open talks with Renault over his future beyond this year.

“The team’s in no rush, the team’s got a lot to sort out for next year, and I’m happy to wait for the moment,” he added.