Practice report
Formula 1 Bahrain GP
Jolyon impresses with strong Free Practice performance in Bahrain
As in China last Friday the Third and Reserve Driver for Lotus F1 Team took over duties behind the wheel from Romain Grosjean in FP1.
Published: Apr 17, 2015, 8:41 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Jolyon Palmer impressed in Free Practice One at the Bahrain International Circuit as he ended this afternoon's (Friday) session in 14th position, just 0.441s shy of his more experienced team-mate Pastor Maldonado. Jolyon took a GP2 victory in Bahrain last year on his way to the 2014 title and displayed good track knowledge in his second-ever official Formula One session on a Grand Prix weekend.
As in China last Friday (10 April), the Third and Reserve Driver for Lotus F1 Team took over duties behind the wheel from Frenchman Romain Grosjean in FP1, and he completed 31 laps of the 5.412km circuit whilst working through a packed schedule of aerodynamic and set-up work. It was a blemish-free run for Jolyon compared to a number of other drivers, including team-mate Maldonado, who suffered an off-track excursion, and McLaren driver Jenson Button, who stopped early on at the first corner.
Once more, Jolyon delivered strongly in FP1.
Jolyon Palmer
After completing an initial installation lap to check that all systems on his E23 Hybrid were working correctly, Jolyon took to the track for his first stint and posted a time of 1:40.877s, good enough for 16th position as he reacquainted himself with the Sakhir circuit.
The 24-year-old returned to the track with 45-minutes left in the session and immediately jumped to the upper reaches of the timesheets with a 1:39.283s, good enough for fourth place and within half-a-second of the quickest lap held by Force India's Sergio Perez at that time. He was relegated a number of positions as more drivers focused on posting quick laps but still remained in an impressive eighth place with half-an-hour left on the clock.
Jolyon concentrated on a longer run for his final stint, which meant that he would be unable to improve on his earlier time, and he ended Free Practice One in 14th position overall. The Ferrari pairing of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel led the field with the Finn posting a fastest lap of 1:37.827s. Reigning World Champions Mercedes finished FP1 in 15th and 16th respectively, with Nico Rosberg heading team-mate Hamilton as the pair trailed Palmer.
Jolyon said: “It was much smoother than China and it was great to be back in the car so soon after Shanghai, as I felt familiar with the E23 Hybrid and built up to a good pace. I did my best time quite early on in the session but I was happy with my progress throughout.”
Alan Permane, Trackside Operations Director, Lotus F1 Team commented: "Once more, Jolyon delivered strongly in FP1. It was hot track conditions out there today and the circuit was the dirtiest it will be all weekend, as is normal for the first practice. Jolyon worked through a standard programme of aero and set-up evaluation, putting in some strong lap times during the course of the session. We made some good progress on set-up and Jolyon set lap times comparable to Pastor's which assists us with our work ahead of Free Practice Two."
Jolyon Palmer
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article A smooth practice day for Sauber in Bahrain
Next article How ‘spec’ can F1 afford to be?
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Kimi Raikkonen
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
David Coulthard explains why Robin Raikkonen's rise resembles Max Verstappen's
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
On this day: Michael Schumacher wins… and stuns tifosi with F1 retirement
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Red Bull signs Kimi Raikkonen’s son as junior driver
Latest news
Jorge Martin declared fit to race in Malaysian GP after FP1
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
Jorge Martin declared fit to race in Malaysian GP after FP1
Cetilar unveils blue Ferrari 499P ahead of Hypercar debut
Asian Le Mans
AsLM Asian Le Mans 5 h
Cetilar unveils blue Ferrari 499P ahead of Hypercar debut
2026 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
6 h
2026 MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix – How to watch, session times & more
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
7 h
"Two steps forward, one step back" – Oscar Piastri explains the route out of McLaren's car woes
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe