Monaco GP2 race report

28/05/2013

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As well as the glitz and glamour of the international jet-set, Monte Carlo is equally famous for its casino, and the outcome of racing round the sinuous streets of the Mediterranean principality is often compared to the caprice of the gaming tables.

And so it proved to be for Comma's GP2 standard bearer, Jolyon Palmer, whose ambition to follow his Sprint race triumph in 2012 with victory in the this year's Feature event was almost instantly extinguished when he was innocently and unavoidably involved in a multi-car pile-up on the very first corner of the race.

Having been fourth fastest in practice and qualified on the third row of the grid, Jolyon had every expectation of scoring solid points in the race. But that all turned to nought as pole-sitter Cecotto wildy out-braked himself after a poor getaway from the grid, slamming into the barrier at St Devote and taking out almost half the following field, including our man Palmer. End of Jolyon's business for the day, since his Carlin car was too badly damaged to take the re-start after the race was red flagged to clear the track of crippled machinery.

Consigned to starting Sunday's Sprint race from the tenth row of the grid, Jolyon immediately improved his position to 17th at the end of the opening lap, and pressed on ambitiously in what has become his signature style this season to be aiming for a finish in the points as the race neared its end.

"It was a tough race coming through from 19th but I managed a few moves and got into 11th. Then I was pushing really hard to get 10th and made a big mistake costing me a place," said Jolyon after the race.

"I'm happy to have had an aggressive race, making a number of places at a track that's difficult to overtake on and most importantly avoiding a penalty for Silverstone. Now we need to move on and focus on taking a win next time out."