Maldonado backs Palmer for F1

Jolyon Palmer is ready to make his F1 debut next season, according to his team-mate Pastor Maldonado.

The British racer will replace Romain Grosjean at Lotus next year after an impressive series of Friday practice sessions.

Palmer will be under immediate pressure to prove himself, but Maldonado has given him his backing.

"It's always difficult because he has been running this year on most of the Fridays but always with the harder compounds on a very green track and that is the worst moment of the weekend,” he told AUTOSPORT.

"He's a good driver, he's very intelligent and I wish him the best. I think he is ready. I hope he pushes hard with me to put the team in a good place.

"Spending the year with Lotus, it will help him from one side because he knows everyone, he knows how we work.

"Of course he is not experienced racing in Formula 1, he is not experienced having time to set up the car but that will come.

"If you are clever and do your job with the guys, this will come automatically. He needs some time to adapt himself to the races, too."

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