RENAULT’S Jolyon Palmer believes anything is possible this season following sweeping changes to the Formula 1 rule book.

The cars will be bigger, heavier and more aggressive-looking this year following a series of changes to the technical regulation.

They are expected to place a greater physical challenge on the drivers with lap times set to tumble by up to five seconds.

Speaking at the launch of the Enstone-based team’s car for the new campaign, Palmer said: “It’s a completely blank canvas.

“We have no idea what anyone else is doing, and they don’t know what we are doing,” added Palmer after taking the wraps off his Renault RS 17, with new team-mate Nico Hulkenberg in London.

“We will hit the track for the first winter test in Barcelona next week and see some sort of form guide I guess.

“But compared to the last few years, it’s a real chance for someone to upset the form book, especially early on.

“I think there will be a chance if someone really gets the race right to make a big jump.”

Palmer, who is set to compete in his second F1 season, says he has put on four kilograms to cope with the new demands.

“I had the full works at Christmas,” Palmer, 26, joked. “It is the first winter in many years when I have actually had to put on weight.

“There have been a lot of hours in the gym, and hard work to get there, but I am looking forward to see how it stacks up on track.

“I feel more confident, more relaxed and I know what to expect.

“I have understood a lot more over the last 12 months. As a team we should be a lot more competitive, so it is an exciting time.”

Palmer, who scored a solitary point in his debut campaign, is hoping for better this season, which starts in Melbourne on March 26.