Palmer denies lack of racecraft

New driver Jolyon Palmer believes that his year away from competitive racing will not harm his ability.

The British driver will race for the Renault team next year, after they took over Lotus last month.

Palmer was a reserve driver for Lotus last season and will join Pastor Maldonado on the grid in 2017.

He told AUTOSPORT: “Even though I am not racing now it is beginning to sink in a little more, because with no races at the moment it means come the next grand prix I will be racing in that one, which is very exciting.

"Although I've had a year out of proper racing, I think when it comes to racecraft and strategy, they are either in you or they're not.

"I will find out in Melbourne when the lights go out whether I am suddenly feeling a little bit rusty. I hope not!

"The racing side of it you're born with, and the strategy side I have been really involved with that in 2015.

"It's been very useful because I've been listening in on everything, and even sometimes getting involved in the decisions. It's been good to see things from an engineer's point of view.

"When you're driving you don't understand what everyone on the pitwall is going through, and all the pain.

"So to have a year of people talking to, and about, the race drivers has been very interesting."

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