Fighting talk from under-pressure Palmer

Jolyon Palmer has said he is fully confident of reviving his season and putting himself back into the picture for a Renault seat in 2018.

Robert Kubica is seemingly waiting in the wings to take the Brit's seat next year, while the likes of Carlos Sainz have also been linked with joining the Enstone-based team.

But Palmer will not go down without a fight and is looking to replicate his turnaround in form last year to help him stay on the Formula 1 grid next season.

"Last year I had a much better second half of the year than first half, and clearly I need to do the same," Palmer said to the press in Belgium.

"I know I can do it, it's just trying to dig in, really push on, and start putting some results together.

“I did it last year, I can do it this year. I think the car is in a better place now, I've just got to do it on track."

Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul has said Palmer can become part of the equation if he starts to deliver points for the team and the Brit is happy to hear he still has a shot at a 2018 seat.

He added: "It's nice to hear that, but I'm in the same position as last year. Last year I was the same, I was here and not thinking about this year, just thinking about doing good races.

"I did good races, and then it all unfolded the right way. So I'm just focused on doing nine good races now."

"Honestly I'm not even thinking about next year, I'm just focussed on this year still.

"We've just gone halfway through the season. Nine races to go, I'm focused on doing the best I can in each one of them."