Jolyon Palmer was frustratingly forced to settle for P17 during today's GP2 qualifying session in Bahrain after his iSport car continued to suffer a reoccurring electrical issue.

The iSport team worked hard to cure the problem that left the young Brit stranded in the earlier free practice with Palmer able to take to the track just after the start of the session.

Despite having no meaningful track time this morning, the 21-year-old was impressively on the pace straight away and ran 11th early in the session, less than eight tenths of a second off pace setter Davide Valsecchi.

However, shortly after Jolyon slowed dramatically on the long back straight only just managing to get back into gear and return to the pits.

With seven minutes remaining in the session he was able to get back onto the circuit but like the other runners, was unable to improve on his time. He then once again ground to a halt at the end of the session.

Speaking afterwards a frustrated Palmer said: "Once again the car wasn't working. I managed to do an awful lap but still be P17. The car stopped halfway through and I was lucky to be able to restart it but then on the options I had no grip and was messed around a lot. It becomes very difficult to drive a qualifying session when you think every lap could be your last because you have to keep pushing even if you make mistakes and can't afford too many cool laps. Once again the guys are trying to fix the problem but every time it stops nothing shows up on the data and therefore finding the problem is extremely difficult."

Meanwhile, Giedo Van Der Garde finished on top for the session and will start from pole for today's Feature Race with Valsecchi alongside him on the front row and Fabio Leimer in third.

Jolyon is next on track at 14:00 (UK time) for today's 32 lap race with full coverage available on his official website.

GP2 Bahrain, qualifying results:

1. G VD Garde, Caterham, 1:42.451s
2. D Valsecchi, DAMS, +0.145s
3. F Leimer, Racing, +0.168s
4. M Chilton, Carlin, +0.177s
5. R Haryanto, Carlin, +0.240s
6. L Razia, Arden, +0.388s
7. R Gonzalez, Caterham, +0.500s
8. D Clos, Addax, +0.629s
9. M Ericsson, iSport, +0.673s
17. J Palmer, iSport, +0.940s