Jolyon Palmer was denied a top 10 finish during today's (Sunday) rain-affected GP2 Sprint Race at the Hungaroring after having to retire with just one lap remaining.

Despite starting from 22nd on the grid, the 20-year-old showed superb car control in the wet to climb an impressive 12 places to be running 10th before a spin at Turn 4 on the penultimate lap - ending what was set to be a promising debut weekend at the Budapest track.

With the circuit damp but drying prior to the 23-lap race, Jolyon was one of a handful of drivers to begin on slick Pirelli tyres. After a frantic opening lap, the Brit began to settle into his stride battling behind fellow countryman Adam Carroll.

As the racing line continued to dry, the leaders began to pit for slick rubber on around lap eight, just as the Safety Car was deployed following a spin by Max Chilton. With the race neutralised, Jolyon, at first, was frustratingly unable to capitalise on his tyre gamble.

Racing resumed on lap 11 with all the drivers now running on slick tyres. Jolyon, who was runner-up in the 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship, drove effortlessly around the slippery 4.138km circuit, unlike many of the packed 26 car field, to be running in an impressive P12 after two thirds race distance.

After yet another safety car period, the weather had turned once more with many drivers electing to go back onto wet tyres with Jolyon also pitting for the first time to change his tyres for a set of wets.

As the thrilling race drew to a close, Jolyon's outstanding car control saw him then move into the top 10 and just 17 seconds off the leaders. However, his race was then cut short on the second to last lap, ending what had been one a great drive in difficult conditions.

A frustrated Jolyon said afterwards: "I started on slicks in the hope that the damp track would dry out but was too slow in the slippery conditions. The track got relatively dry but then it started raining again so I had to pit for wets, which was a good move.

"I got myself up to the top 10 but then I made a mistake at turn four near the end and spun out. A bad end to a bad weekend. I'm hopeful of better pace next time out at Spa."

Trident's Stefano Coletti secured the overall honours with Esteban Gutierrez and Romain Grosjean joining him on the podium.

Jolyon is next in action on 26-28 August at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium with full coverage available on Jolyon's official website and Facebook page.

Hungaroring, GP2 Sprint Race, results:

1. S Coletti, Trident, 23 laps
2. E Gutierrez, ART, +7.293s
3. R Grosjean, DAMS, +7.401s
4. G VD Garde, Addax, +11.595s
5. S Bird, iSport, +14.524s
6. J Bianchi, ART, +16.646s
7. L Razia, AirAsia, +17.153s
8. K Mirocha, Ocean, +17.840s
9. R Gonzalez, Trident, +19.602s
DNF. J Palmer, Arden, +2 laps