Jolyon Palmer to be kept on by Renault

After months of uncertainty, Renault have decided to keep on British driver Jolyon Palmer for 2017, partnering incoming German Nico Hulkenberg at the Enstone based outfit.

The decision to retain Palmer means that Kevin Magnussen will be looking for a new drive, with the Dane expected to move to Haas, to replace Esteban Gutierrez, who hasn't delivered this season, and is yet to score a point.

"I'm over the moon to be racing with Renault" commented Palmer after the announcement was made. "I can't wait to reward the team's faith in me on track."

"It's been a steep learning curve for me in Formula One and I know that I'm performing better than ever, and that there is still more to come".

Despite intially being out-performed by Magnussen, Palmer has been the beter of the two Renault drivers in recent times, coming close to scoring his first point in Hungary, before doing so in Malaysia with a gutsy drive to P10.

The team were reported to be leaning toward Magnussen, but it has been said that an option on his contract was extended by two weeks, but the team let that run down, before plumping for Palmer. The decision means that there will be at least two Brits on the grid next season, the other being ​Lewis Hamilton.

One of Renault's many bosses, Jerome Stoll said: "We are confident that the combination of Jolyon and NIco offers a very promsing driving force to meet our goals. The line-up of Jolyon and Nico harnesses the benefits of continuty and fresh blood."

It has been suggested that Magnussen's laid back attitude has been negativly taken by the team, perceiving it as a lack of effort. With his impending move to Haas, he will be driving for his third team, after McLaren in 2014 in his third full season in the sport next season, after Haas team principal, Gunther Steiner said "He (Magnussen) deserves to be in F1."