Jolyon Palmer finished in an excellent 12th place in today's sprint event in Abu Dhabi, after narrowly losing out to Frenchman Charles Pic in a tough battle that lasted the majority of the race.

In a contest that featured just three retirements from the 26 runners, Jolyon moved up from his original grid position of 14th by passing the experienced Pic, a race winner in GP2 last year, on the opening lap. He gained a further place three laps later when Giedo van der Garde received a drive through penalty.

For the next 14 laps Jolyon then withstood enormous pressure from Pic, who later recorded the fastest lap in the race, before the Frenchman eventually overtook Palmer on the inside with a bold and aggressive manoeuvre. Jolyon maintained a gap over the pursuing Andrea Caldarelli, and also gained another position after frontrunner Sam Bird crashed, to take his second race finish of the weekend - capping a fine debut weekend for the young Briton.

GP2 Asia Series - Round One, Yas Marina - Race Two

1. S Coletti, Trident, 26 laps
2. J Kral, Arden, +2.6s
3. M Ericsson, isport, +3.3s
4. J Bianchi, Lotus ART, +9.4s
5. D Valsecchi, Air Asia, +11.5s
6. M Herck, Coloni, +14.6s
7. F Leimer, Rapax, +17.1s
8. N Berthon, R Engineering, +17.4s
9. J Cecotto, Super Nova, +25.3s
...
12. J Palmer, Arden, +32.8s