British driver Jolyon Palmer is facing a fight to save his Formula One career after it was confirmed that he will be replaced by Carlos Sainz at Renault next season.
Palmer, 26, is one of only two drivers yet to score a point this season, and despite his insistence to the contrary on Thursday there are reports he could yet be ousted before the next race in Malaysia.
The suggestion is that Sainz, 23, will take his place from the Sepang race onwards with Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly signing for Toro Rosso.
''I have a contract and I have seven more races this year,'' Palmer said.
''There have been suggestions for 35 races that I might not be in the next one, or in the next few.
''This is nothing new for me. It is water off a duck's back. It has been the case for most races this year, and nothing has changed."
Williams and Sauber are yet to confirm their driver line-ups for 2018 while Force India - who are also yet to formally announce their plans - want to keep both Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon.
Palmer has struggled in his second season for both form and reliability and has been out-qualified by his Renault team-mate Nico Hulkenberg at every race. Hulkenberg has also scored 34 points.
"We must thank Jolyon for his ongoing hard work with the team and his efforts over the past two seasons," said Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul.
"He is a dedicated driver and we wish him the best in the next steps of his career."
Sainz will join Renault after three years at Toro Rosso. He has 36 points - 32 more than his team-mate Daniil Kvyat - and is ninth in the championship this year.
"I'm very happy to be joining Renault," Sainz said.
"To be a Formula One driver for a manufacturer team is an honour and I hope to reward Renault's faith in me with my very best performances on track.
"This is the start of a very exciting new chapter in my career. I would like to say thank you to Red Bull for all their confidence and support and for allowing me to take this opportunity."
Source: PA
