When Jolyon Palmer describes the atmosphere at Selhurst Park as exciting, it is no small compliment – after all, this is a man whose day job was racing at speeds of almost 300kph.
After three years driving in one of the toughest and most perilous sports around, Palmer retired from Formula One to take up a commentary role with the BBC. When the season kicks-off again in Bahrain this weekend, it will mark the start of his busiest time of year.
But you can be sure that wherever he finds himself around the world, one eye will always be cast back to south London.