Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer took the wheel of Anton De Pasquale’s race-winning #18 Camaro Supercar at Albert Park, expressing excitement about the experience. The event occurred recently, providing Palmer, who competed in F1 with Renault and recorded a career-best sixth place at the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix, with a thrilling opportunity to drive a V8 Chevrolet on a famous circuit.
Having previously enjoyed a passenger ride in a Blanchard Racing Team Mustang with James Courtney at the same venue a year before, Palmer eagerly embraced the chance to push the limits behind the wheel himself. The day marked an important moment for the ex-F1 driver to reconnect with high-performance racing in Australia’s iconic motorsport environment.
Palmer’s Reflections on Driving the V8 Supercar
Palmer described the experience as unique and exciting, noting the car’s responsiveness and grip. He said,
“I’VE never driven anything like it.”
The 36-year-old added,
“Seriously cool. It’s so much nicer driving than being a passenger,”
capturing his enthusiasm for the hands-on experience.
He expressed his admiration for the Supercar series, sharing,
“I was really impressed last year already. I’ve always loved the series so I’ve always thought it would be cool to have a go.”
This highlighted his long-standing respect for the category and the thrill he felt getting behind the wheel himself.
Careful but Confident Driving During the Four Laps
Despite a light slide in corners, Palmer was cautious on the brakes to maintain control during his four laps. He explained,
“I was sliding a little bit in the corners but I was very safe on the brakes,”
adding that locking up would have reduced control. He felt the power and lateral grip but suggested more could be unlocked under heavier braking.
Reflecting on the car’s characteristics, Palmer appreciated its forgiving nature and immediate feedback through the steering, saying,
“It’s actually a really forgiving car as well, straight away you could feel the grip and the feedback really easily through the wheel.”
The experience rekindled his sense of racing, stating,
“It was nice to feel the limit of grip and feel like a racing driver again.”
Anton De Pasquale’s Assessment of Palmer’s Performance
Anton De Pasquale, who has history racing against Jolyon’s younger brother Will in the 2015 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 at Silverstone, commended Palmer’s quick adaptation and progression through the laps.
“He built through it on the first lap and then by the end he was pushing pretty hard,”
De Pasquale noted, acknowledging Palmer’s high-level driving skills.
De Pasquale recognized Palmer’s ability to read the tyres and gain comfort quickly, saying,
“You can tell when you’re with someone who has driven at a high level, they start to feel the tyre, they start to get comfortable pretty quickly, so it was cool.”
Palmer himself remarked,
“I felt pretty safe. I didn’t think I would, but it was good.”
Significance of the Experience for Palmer and the Motorsport Community
This driving session offered Palmer a valuable and enjoyable reconnection with competitive motorsport outside of Formula 1, emphasizing the crossover appeal of Supercar racing and the skills shared across racing disciplines. It also showcased the popularity and technical challenge of V8 Supercars, reinforcing their status in Australian motorsport culture.
For Palmer, the event was more than just laps around Albert Park; it was an opportunity to celebrate racing heritage across generations, recalling his father Jonathan Palmer’s own F1 career and connecting with contemporary Australian motorsport stars like De Pasquale and Courtney. The experience may inspire further appearances or participation in Supercar events, strengthening ties between former F1 talents and local racing series.
