Renault's Cyril Abiteboul has hinted that the French manufacturer could help Jolyon Palmer secure a seat in motorsport for 2018.
Palmer joined the Enstone-based outfit when it was named Lotus back in 2015, carrying out a test driving role before being promoted to a full-time race seat for 2016 when Renault returned to Formula 1.
After a disappointing 2017 campaign, it was confirmed that the British driver would be replaced by Carlos Sainz Jr for next season, however, it emerged that Palmer would not see this season out with Renault, with last weekend's Japanese Grand Prix being his last and Sainz joining the team for the remainder of this year.
As much of the 2018 grid has been decided, Palmer has a slim chance of remaining in Formula 1, although Williams is his most realistic target despite the team evaluating both Robert Kubica and Paul di Resta as replacement options for the ageing Felipe Massa.
With the odds of an F1 drive not being in Palmer's favour, the 26 year old looks set to complete in a different racing series altogther, and Cyril Abiteboul has suggested that Palmer could ask for assistance from Renault to help land a new seat at a new team.
“We are a manufacturer that’s part of a large group, and we have a footprint that’s quite wide in motorsport, so there are opportunities also to help him for the future," Abiteboul told Motorsport.com.
"He has my personal and also Renault’s commitment to see how we can help him in the next challenge. I’m pretty sure he’s got some ideas.”
Outside of Formula 1, Renault has enjoyed success in Formula E where it acts as a partner and powertrain manufacturer to the e.dams outfit who have won the Team's Championship ever season since the series started in 2014 whilst also having strong connection to Nissan – a sister brand.
Prior to having his contract cut short by Renault, Palmer said that he was "open-minded" about the direction his career could take in the future, whilst Williams' ongoing driver evaluations for 2018 acted as encouragement for the former GP2 champion.
"I think one thing you can say is never say never in F1," he said. "Obviously with Kubica coming back, I think that shows – probably a lot of people thought he’d never come back, and he is there.
"And also Paul di Resta who’s not raced a car in F1 apart from Budapest [filling in for Massa] for a long time and he’s in the mix for a drive again. You never know."
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