Jolyon Palmer could not break into the points for a second consecutive weekend at the Suzuka International Racing Course on Sunday, but felt his performance this weekend during the Japanese Grand Prix was stronger than it was when he finished tenth last time out in Malaysia.

The Renault Sport F1 driver started sixteenth on the grid, but unlike last weekend, everyone finished the race, but the British driver felt the pace of his RS16 and the strategy calls from the pit wall were good throughout the 53-lap event.

Palmer did run inside the points ahead of his one and only pit stop, but with others showing good pace ahead of him and with reliability being perfect throughout the field, twelfth was the best he could have achieved on Sunday.

“Tenth last week, twelfth this week, but this week everyone finished the race!” said Palmer. “We had a lot of luck last week and I think today was actually a stronger performance.

“We beat everyone that we could this afternoon. I’m pleased with how we went, the strategy, the pace, performance… Everything was good.”