Barcelona Testing – Renault were delayed at the start of Tuesday’s running as they were waiting for new parts to arrive at the circuit.
Jolyon Palmer lost the entire morning of running, only managing to put in an installation lap at the very end of the morning session which was extended by five minutes whilst the marshalls recovered Esteban Ocon’s stricken Force India.
“We were waiting for parts, and then fitting them. There was a bit of a delay fitting them and some modifications were needed,” he said.
“So we knew we were going to be delayed at the start but it kind of kept getting pushed back a little bit as well.”
Despite the delay Palmer was able to put in 53 laps in the afternoon; almost on par with what team mate Nico Hulkenberg was able to do on Monday.
“Overall the afternoon was not bad, so we made up for it a little bit and the feeling in the car is quite good.”
Palmer added that the car has improved in key areas that made life difficult for Renault in 2016.
“I’m quite happy with the car. I think probably everyone’s quite happy with the car because they feel so much better than last year, the downforce is so much better.
“For us we’ve improved compliance [over the kerbs], which was where as a team we were really weak last year. I think we’re in a much better ball park.”
Palmer will share driving duties with Hulkenberg for the remaining two days of the first pre-season test.
