Palmer signs as a reserve driver for Lotus in 2015

On Tuesday, it was announced that Lotus has confirmed GP2 series champion Jolyon Palmer as its reserve driver for the 2015 season.

Palmer, who is the son of former British F1 driver Jonathan, was unable to secure a full-time drive after his success in the F1 feeder series but did test for Force India at the Abu Dhabi test in November. He has been picked up by Lotus for its first season with Mercedes power and the team says he will feature in a “significant number” of FP1 sessions throughout 2015, as well as contributing to testing and development.

Palmer, who won the GP2 title in record-breaking fashion, has stated in an interview with the media yesterday that he thinks the move gives him the best chance of finding a senior drive in 2016. Palmer stated the following:-

'I’m delighted to be moving into F1 with Lotus this year as third driver and I’m very grateful for the opportunity they have given me. My goal has been to become a race driver in a competitive F1 team for 2016 and Lotus is a great opportunity for me, particularly with Mercedes engines now.

'To be able to learn with a major F1 team by working closely with them in every area and getting a lot of mileage in the car is the best way possible, as Valtteri Bottas proved. I am delighted to be joining Lotus at such an exciting time and my objective is to earn a long term future with them.'

It is clear for all to see that Palmer is delighted to have been signed by Lotus as their reserve driver for the 2015 season and is grateful for the opportunity to prove himself in a Formula One car over the course of the season. By signing up for Lotus this season, Palmer as he points out has gotten himself one step closer to maybe being considered for a race seat in 2016 which he aspires to have.

Palmer knows that this is his best chance to maybe get into Formula One and by using Williams driver Valtteri Bottas has an example, this only shows that with hard work and determination, you can achieve where you want to be. However, you can see that Palmer will do everything he can to make sure that he acquires and gains as much experience possible with Lotus in order to stay with the team for the near future.

The move means Lotus has three former GP2 champions on its books next year, with Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean winning the title in consecutive years (2010 and 2011). In his own interview with the media yesterday, Lotus chairman and team principal Gerard Lopez is excited to see how Palmer makes the step up to a Formula One team. Lopez stated the following:-

'Jolyon is a fantastic talent and a very credible driver to fulfil the role of third driver at Lotus. Romain and Pastor are both GP2 Series Champions, so we know what a fantastic proving ground GP2 provides. For Jolyon to have enjoyed such a successful season as he took his title last year shows his superb potential for the future.

'We are looking forward to seeing him in team colours and behind the wheel of our 2015 car, the E23 Hybrid, which represents an exciting new era for Lotus.'

From what Lopez has stated in his interview on Tuesday, he firmly believes that Palmer is a very talented racing driver and deserves the opportunity he has been given as a result of his performances last season where he was crowned GP2 champion which is no mean feat and you have to give credit to Palmer for what he achieved last season.

As Lopez says himself, the performances that Palmer put in to achieve the GP2 title shows to him that he has potential for the future and also that he is more than happy to see him in Lotus livery and also progress and improve further as a driver in the process.

In conclusion, Palmer and Lotus are very happy with the arrangement that has been made for this season and both parties are looking forward to working together. Both parties understand just what they can do for each other and both of them will ensure that they put everything they can to make sure that they reach the goals they would like to achieve as quickly as they possibly can.

As for Palmer, he has been given a great opportunity in my eyes with Lotus this year to acquire and gain Formula One experience that will prove very handy if he gets the call for a race seat in 2016 as he would like to be. This experience will also help him develop and improve further as a driver, is the best way to prepare for Formula One and it is the only route to gaining as much experience as possible without having a race seat in the sport.

All Palmer has to do is to use the opportunity he has been given, learn and develop as a driver using the experience he will gain over the course of the year and ultimately to show what he can do in a Formula One car in order to be considered for an race seat next season.

And it is clear for all to see Palmer has the commitment, the desire and the drive to ensure that this is the case; but will all his hard work pay off? We shall have to wait and see, but I am looking forward to seeing what Palmer can do on the track.

Sarah Jones