JOLYON Palmer hopes to be popping champagne on the podium this season as he revs up for his second year with Enstone-based Renault in Formula 1.

The 26-year-old will take to the grid for the first round in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday, alongside new teammate Nico Hulkenberg.

Palmer beat all the odds to secure another campaign in the sport despite facing uncertainty over his future throughout his rookie season.

He was consistently beaten by his then teammate Kevin Magnussen during the early part of the season and looked likely to be leaving Formula 1 after just one term.

But the British driver steadily improved as the season wore on – securing his one and only point at October’s Malaysian Grand Prix – before he was offered a new deal ahead of the penultimate race.

After a positive few weeks of testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Palmer is in an optimistic mood.

He said: “A year under my belt has given me a lot of confidence to come back knowing what to expect.

“I feel a lot more comfortable and the team can expect a big step forward.

“Last year was really difficult – everyone knew it was going to be – so this year we should be much more competitive which will reflect much better on me.

“The first target is for the team to be in the top five, which is certainly achievable, and if we can do that we will be able to fight for podiums at some stage of the year.”

l SEAN Walkinshaw Racing have announced Romain Sarazin will take to the wheel for their endurance racing debut in the GT4 European Series Northern Cup.

The 22-year-old joins teenager Charlie Fagg at the Chipping Norton-based team ahead of the first round at Misano, Italy, on April 2.

Fagg, 17, is hoping to benefit from the experience Sarazin, who raced alongside team owner Sean Walkinshaw in the Nissan GT Academy Team RJN in the Blancpain Endurance Cup last year, has gained.

He said: “I’m really excited Romain is going to be my team-mate at Misano.

“He obviously has a fair amount of experience in GT racing and, coming from the NISMO background from Blancpain, it’s perfect for me as I will have great advice about these cars and tracks.”

Sarazin added: “I am really happy to join SWR for the first race alongside Charlie.

“I will do my best to bring my Blancpain Endurance Series experience to the team and try to get a good result.”