Highly-rated Esteban Ocon expected to join for 2017; Renault "in no rush" to make decsion on next year's line-up
Monday 19 September 2016 14:21, UK
Jolyon Palmer and Kevin Magnussen face a potential shoot-out over the final seven races of the season to claim a seat at Renault for 2017.
The English rookie has yet to score a point this season but believes a seat at Renault next season is "still up for grabs" as he eyes earning an unexpected late reprieve.
"I need to just keep doing what I'm doing - I know I'm in the mix," said Palmer.
Renault, whose manufacturer status makes them an attractive proposition for next season despite this season's poor form, were predicted to drop both Palmer and Magnussen for next year.
But the team's options have significantly dwindled in recent weeks following Stoffel Vandoorne's promotion at McLaren and the likelihood Valtteri Bottas will stay at Williams. However, the future of Sergio Perez, a known target for Renault, remains clouded in uncertainty after he failed to confirm he will be staying on at Force India.
"I think we have some options," said managing director Cyril Abiteboul. "We are not rushing into making a decision, it is an important decision."
Although Manor's Esteban Ocon, whose talent and French nationality makes him a natural draw for Renault, is expected to join the team for next year after impressing in a test role earlier in 2016, the reduced range of options left available to the team means that, if Perez remains at Force India, either Magnussen or Palmer are also likely to stay on. But which one?
Until recently, Palmer was the odds-on favourite to be discarded if Renault had to make a choice between their two incumbents. But Palmer has quietly impressed of late, out-qualifying Magnussen in three of the last four events to boost his hopes to stay on for a second season of F1.
"The seats are in doubt and up for grabs so every race from now on is a chance to show what I can do. I feel like I'm driving the best I've driven all season at the moment," added Palmer.
Renault to miss out on main targets for 2017?
For former McLaren driver Magnussen, the prospect of a second axing in three years looms large. Although the Dane has scored all six of Renault's points this year, he has struggled for form since the summer break, crashing out heavily from the Belgian GP when he trailed Palmer, and is growing impatient about the ongoing wait for news about his future.
"I don't know what's going on behind the scenes. I've read in the press that there's been a delay and the decision could take a long time," he said.
"It is [frustrating]. I was hoping for a decision between these two races, but clearly it hasn't come and things are taking longer than I hoped for."
Renault have previously stated they would make a decision on their 2017 line-up in September but there has been no indication at Singapore, the final race this month, that an announcement is imminent.
Who will drive for Renault in 2017? The contenders
On the verge of bankruptcy prior to Renault's takeover, the team, formerly known as Lotus, are still in the midst of an organisational overhaul which will include two separate HQs - the first in Enstone, the second at Viry in France. But despite the need to complete their restructuring, team boss Fred Vasseur has made no secret of his intention to appoint a 'team leader' in the cockpit.
"If you look at the success stories of the past, success was always built around a driver: Schumacher and Ferrari, Vettel and Red Bull, Lewis and Mercedes, and also Alonso and Renault in the past - so the driver is important," said Vasseur last month.
"A driver is not only about performance, but about being capable of leading a team. Right now we have more or less a thousand people in the team, if you take Viry and Enstone together, and that needs some sort of emotional leadership - and that is the job for a driver! We need a driver who is super-motivated and able to super-motivate everybody else."
