Jolyon Palmer produced an impressive performance during today's (Saturday) GP2 Sprint Race in Monaco to finish 11th in only his second ever race in the Principality.

The GP2 rookie, who finished as runner-up in the FIA Formula Two Championship last year, made up six places during the 30-lap race around the famous street circuit which is notoriously difficult to overtake on.

After a slightly delayed start, caused by Sergio Perez's earlier crash in Formula One qualifying, Jolyon got away well off the line and making up two places on the opening lap to lie 15th.

Following a brief safety car period, caused by Kevin Mirocha's stationary car, Jolyon continued to push around the 3.340km Monaco circuit and was showing good pace - lapping just a fraction off the leader's pace.

By lap 10 the young Brit was looking strong, running P13 before allowing for a second safety car intervention this time following a heavy crash by Marcus Ericsson at the swimming pool.

At the halfway point the Arden International racer was running in 11th place from 17th on the grid and chasing down the more experienced Geido Van Der Garde ahead.

Jolyon, son of former Formula One driver Jonathan who raced here in the 1980s, fought hard throughout the remainder of the race but as his tyres began to fade, he was unable to pass the Addax car in front of him, crossing the line one place away from his second top 10 finish.

Speaking afterwards Jolyon said: "I got a good start but got blocked going into Turn 1 so lost time. I then made a place into Mirabeau on the opening lap. From then on I just got a bit stuck in traffic but stayed consistent and when a gap came I had some good pace. I managed to pick up a few places to finish 11th which is a decent result after yesterday's disappointment."

Charles Pic secured victory during the race with Josef Kral in second to record his first ever GP2 podium with Romain Grosjean completing the top three. Grosjean and Sam Bird now jointly lead the championship standings with both drivers tied on 23 points.

The next rounds of the 2011 GP2 series take place in Valencia, Spain on 24-26 June with full cover of the race weekend available on Jolyon's official website.

Monaco GP2 Race Two results:

1. Charles Pic, Addax, 30 laps
2. Josef Kral, Arden International, +3.332s
3. Roman Grosjean, DAMS, +3.885s
4. Luca Filippi, Super Nova Racing, +14.587s
5. Davide Valsecchi, AirAsia, +27.072s
6. Max Chilton, Carlin, +29.626s
7. Fabio Leimer, Rapax, +29.846s
8. Oliver Turvey, Carlin, +30.372s
9. Giedo Van Der Garde, Addax, +30.859s
11. Jolyon Palmer, Arden International, +32.317s