Jolyon Palmer
Jolyon Carlyle Palmer (born 20 January 1991) is a British motorsport commentator and columnist, covering the Formula One World Championship on BBC Radio 5 and F1TV. Prior to his media career, Palmer was a racing driver and the 2014 GP2 Series champion. Palmer drove for Renault Sport F1 Team in Formula One. He made his Formula One debut with the team at the start of the 2016 season, during which he scored his first World Championship points at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Palmer stayed with Renault for 2017 through to the Japanese Grand Prix.
Palmer at the 2016 Malaysian Grand Prix | |
| Born | 20 January 1991 Horsham, England |
|---|---|
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Active years | 2016–2017 |
| Teams | Renault |
| Car number | 30 |
| Entries | 37 (35 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 9 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 2016 Australian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2017 Japanese Grand Prix |
| Related to | Jonathan Palmer (father) Will Palmer (brother) |
| GP2 Series career | |
| Debut season | 2011 |
| Car number | 7 |
| Former teams | iSport International Arden International Carlin DAMS |
| Starts | 84 |
| Wins | 7 |
| Poles | 4 |
| Fastest laps | 9 |
| Best finish | 1st in 2014 |
| Previous series | |
| 2011 2009–2011 2008 2007–08 2006–07 2005–06 | GP2 Asia Series FIA Formula Two FPA Autumn Trophy Formula Palmer Audi T Cars T Cars Autumn Trophy |
| Championship titles | |
| 2014 2006 | GP2 Series T Cars Autumn Trophy |
Palmer, the son of former F1 driver and major UK race circuit owner Jonathan Palmer, was educated at Dorset House School, after which he attended Cranleigh School and the University of Nottingham (from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Management Studies in 2012). He drove for the Lotus Formula One team as a test driver in 2015, stepping up to a full-time race seat the following season when the team received manufacturer backing from Renault.
After being dropped by Renault during the 2017 season, Palmer became an F1 analyst for BBC and the F1 app alongside Jack Nicholls. He is a regular columnist on the BBC Sport website and is also a special contributor to the official F1 website, offering detailed analysis on racing incidents following each Grand Prix.