Jolyon Palmer is confident he will be on the Formula One grid next season as the British rookie bids to safeguard his future in the sport.
Only seven days ago, Palmer appeared disillusioned about his prospects beyond this year following the announcement that Nico Hulkenberg will join Renault from Force India for 2017.
But here in Mexico City, an upbeat Palmer, 25, believes only he and current Renault team-mate Kevin Magnussen are in direct competition for the remaining seat.
And if Renault do opt for Magnussen, the Danish driver who partnered Jenson Button at McLaren in 2014, Palmer appeared optimistic that he will end up at another team along the paddock with Force India, Sauber and Manor yet to declare their hands for next term.
A move to Force India would be seen as somewhat of a coup, given the British-based team are behind only Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari in the constructors' championship.
"I think I have a reasonable chance to be at Renault," said Palmer on Thursday. "Hopefully I will be here and I can show what I can do. If not, then I am pretty confident of being on the grid elsewhere.
"I have other options - I am not focused only on Renault, they are the main target - but I also think a decision is not that far away. I would be foolish not to be looking elsewhere. I think it is not going to be long before everything falls into place and we will know a lot more about the key seats."
Palmer, the former GP2 champion, endured a frustrating start to his career, but he has steadily improved as the season has wore on.
He has spent the latter half of the campaign on a level footing with team-mate Magnussen, and at the last race in Austin, Palmer urged Renault to get his team-mate, who he deemed to be slower, out of his way.
Palmer added: "The reason the decision has been delayed is because it is not clear who is going to take the seat at Renault. So, every time I get to put my case forward is an opportunity to show what I can do. It is that simple.
"I think I have been doing a good job, so as long as there is no decision I am out to keep improving, keep doing my best, and hope I can sway their decision which I can with some good results."
Source: PA
