Ocon to replace Palmer

Esteban Ocon, who is under contract to Mercedes but on loan to Renault, looks highly unlikely to graduate to the Mercedes team next season, with Nico Rosberg set to sign a new deal to partner Lewis Hamilton through to 2018. Meanwhile Pascal Wehrlein is waiting in the wings should that not happen.

Ocon is however a prime candidate to take up a seat at Renault next year, with Palmer on a one-year deal.

The British racer isn't concerned however and says he is focusing his efforts on making the car better to prove he should stay on, rather than worrying about who might replace him.

"I'm not worried by Esteban," Palmer told Sky Sports. "I know him well, he's a member of the team so I'm not worried about my seat with him, I'm just focused on what I'm doing.

"To be honest I'm focused on getting the car better, because I think if we can improve the car then there's a better chance to show what I can do, especially if we can be in Q2 or fighting for points.

"Then that's a real chance to show I can score and race well against the best, because at the moment it's harder than it could be. I'm not fussed about anyone else." GPTimes