Jolyon Palmer confirmed for F1 in 2016

26/10/2015

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We're all celebrating at Comma. Jolyon Palmer - our sponsored driver since he began his single-seater racing career in 2007 – has been chosen to succeed Romain Grosjean in the Lotus Formula 1 team in 2016.

Palmer will take his place alongside established Venezuelan star Pastor Maldonado following a season in which the 24 year old Palmer acted as third driver in the Lotus line-up.

"We've seen Jolyon's hard work and talent in the way he has approached his role", said Lotus team boss Gerard Lopez. "He is a really popular choice for the team. As well as having a great future ahead of him behind the wheel, Jolyon is an intelligent and highly marketable asset to the team. He deserves this opportunity."

"I'm obviously delighted that I'll be racing in F1 next year," said Jolyon. "I've enjoyed and learned a lot from my year as reserve driver so I'm looking forward to putting this into practice as a race driver in 2016. I can't wait for the season to start."

Comma spokesperson Mike Bewsey said everyone at the company was delighted by the news. "We've supported Jolyon from the time he set out on his journey to realise his ambition and follow his father Jonathan into Formula 1. Along the way, he's carried Comma's colours with great sportsmanship, honour and not a little success, culminating in a brilliant season last year when he earned his Formula 1 spurs with record-breaking domination of the GP2 championship. Well done Jo. We're all immensely proud and pleased for you."

Jolyon's younger brother, Will, who is also sponsored by Comma, looks set to keep the Palmer family tradition and Comma connection brightly burnished, having recently won the Duo BRDC Formula 4 championship and been nominated for the internationally prestigious McLaren Autosport award.

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