Jolyon Palmer was frustratingly forced to retire from today's (Saturday) opening GP2 race at the Spa Francorchamps circuit after suffering mechanical issues.

The Southwater racer, who drives for Arden International, had made up several positions from his starting berth before an engine failure saw him ground to a halt on lap 18.

After gaining one grid place following a penalty handed to Charles Pic, the 20-year-old lost time during the opening stages of the 24-lap when he was forced to avoid a crash ahead of him.

The Brit then began to find his stride and was lapping at a consistent pace before a heavy rain storm hit at the halfway stage, making conditions extremely slippery.

By this stage Jolyon was running 20th, making up two places during the pit stop changes before a safety car was deployed while Julian Leal's car was recovered after a spin at Eau Rouge.

Jolyon then gained a further three places after Stefano Coletti and Mikhail Aleshin collided, along with Max Chilton who suffered a technical problem, to be running 17th. 

Then, with things falling into place, Jolyon frustratingly ground to a halt and had to be pushed off the circuit by the marshals as he engine gave way.

Speaking after the race Jolyon said: "I had a bad start and then lost more time avoiding a crash ahead of me on lap two. I was then off the back and made small inroads into catching the pack until halfway through the race it rained very hard. I pitted for wets and the car felt ok, but then I had a problem with the engine. I'll look through the data tonight now and see how to improve for tomorrow."

Christian Vietoris took the honours while Romain Grosjean secured the GP2 title crown.

Jolyon returns tomorrow morning (Sunday) for the GP2 Sprint Race at 10:30 (local time).

Results, Spa GP2 Race One:

1. C Vietoris, Racing Engineering, 24 Laps
2. J Bianchi, Lotus ART, +2.8s
3. R Grosjean, DAMS, +4.5s
4. L Filippi, Scuderia Coloni, +6.4s
5. B Hartley, Ocean, +11.6s
6. D Clos, Racing Engineering, +12.4s
7. J Kral, Arden, +17.3s
8. F Fauzy, Super Nova, +18.9s
9. A Carroll, Super Nova, +19.3s
DNF. J Palmer, Arden, +8 laps