A deflated Jolyon Palmer lamented a "depressing" performance after he qualified only 19th for the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The British rookie, whose future beyond his debut season is growing increasingly bleak, appeared on course to claim one of his highest grid spots of the year following a strong weekend at the Sepang International Circuit.
But Palmer, the 25-year-old from Horsham, failed to deliver when it mattered on Saturday and will start five places behind his Renault team-mate Kevin Magnussen.
"It is a shame because in practice everything was looking good and then in qualifying it all goes to s***," Palmer, who finished an encouraging 12th fastest on Friday, said.
"I am disappointed because this race is a real chance to do well and I haven't done it.
"When you finish the session and it goes like that, it is pretty depressing when you see the lap is getting away from you.
"Starting 19th is a hell of a long way to the points, but from 14th you can see how it can happen. I will try my best tomorrow, but obviously it was disappointing."
Palmer, the former GP2 champion, has endured a mixed opening campaign in the sport with promising performances coupled by a number of rookie mistakes.
Indeed he was set to score his first points at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July before a late spin scuppered his chances.
At the last race in Singapore, Palmer's team-mate Magnussen - whom the Briton is fighting against to secure a seat fora second season at Renault - finished in the points in 10th.
"You need to do a good job in qualifying and I did a bad job, so of course it is on your mind that you don't have a contract for next year," Palmer added.
"I know this is a great chance for me to do a good job because the whole weekend has been going very well. I wouldn't blame it on pressure, but in qualifying, for whatever reason, I didn't do a good job."
Source: PA
