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Jolyon Palmer To Drive In Bahrain Free Practice Following Impressive Debut
Jolyon Palmer will return to the cockpit of Lotus F1 Team’s E23 Hybrid next Friday (17 April) in Bahrain as he takes part in his second-ever Formula One Free Practice session. Palmer will once again substitute for one of the team’s two regular race drivers in the first Free Practice session of the weekend in his capacity as Third and Reserve Driver.
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The 24-year-old enjoyed his first taste of an official F1 session today (Friday) as he made his Grand Prix weekend debut during Free Practice One (FP1) at the Shanghai International circuit in China, delivering an impressive performance to finish in 15th position.
Palmer completed 25 laps of the Shanghai International Circuit with a fastest lap of 1:41.967s, earning praise from those within the team and the F1 paddock. He replaced Romain Grosjean for the 90-minute session and acquitted himself well to complete a packed schedule of aerodynamic and set-up evaluation work, starting the day with aero rakes attached to his car for data collection.
Jolyon’s focus now moves to the Bahrain International Circuit, a venue he knows well, having raced on the track in the GP2 series for the past three seasons, and the scene of a double-podium last season, with his victory in the Sprint Race the first of four during a record-breaking championship-winning year.
Speaking after FP1 in China, Alan Permane, Trackside Operations Director for Lotus F1 Team, said: “Jolyon did a great job for the first time in the car in an official practice session. He ended the session just outside the top-10 and only six tenths off Pastor [Maldonado’s] lap time so that was a strong effort. He gave us all the feedback we required so we’re happy with his first practice session.”
Commenting after revealing he will be in the E23 Hybrid for Bahrain, Jolyon said: “It’s great news that I will be back in the car for Free Practice One again in Bahrain next week. I was happy with the run here but next week should be better as I am more confident and familiar with the car now and I know the track well this time so I am very much looking forward to it.”
PaddockTalk Perspective
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