Jolyon Palmer endured a frustrating afternoon in Valencia after being caught up in a first lap incident during today's (Saturday) eventful GP2 Feature Race that included three safety cars.

The 21-year-old made a good getaway from eighth place on the grid, but as the field streamed into the second corner, he was pitched into a half spin, losing his front wing in the process. He was then forced to pit at the end of the first lap to replace the nose assembly, dropping him to the back of the pack.

Upon his return, the iSport driver immediately showed the strong pace he's displayed all weekend, and lapping quicker than the leaders. Jolyon then pitted again on lap 12 for fresh Pirelli rubber, just before the safety car emerged on lap 13 to recover debris following a crash by Tom Dillmann.

The race resumed with 13 laps remaining and Jolyon lying in P19. However, a second safety car was soon required when Jolyon made contact with Fabrizio Crestani at Turn 10 whilst unsighted by Felipe Nasr's slowing DAMS car, causing a concertina effect behind him.

Speaking afterwards Jolyon said: "I had a good start and was fighting for fifth at Turn 2 and Leimer turned in on me and forced me into a spin. I damaged my front wing as well and had to pit. After that I was doing good lap times at the back and catching the pack up. After the safety car period I went for a move on De Jong and had to avoid Nasr who was going slowly at the same time. Unfortunately I was unsighted from Crestani ahead and as he turned in I had had no where to go. Whilst I accept the crash was my fault, it happened because I couldn't see him as I was avoiding slower cars ahead. It is a disappointing race especially considering the start and I'm sure we could have been on the podium. I shouldn't have been in the position to have the second incident in the first place which is frustrating. For tomorrow we will start at the back but hopefully I can use it as a chance to make some overtaking moves and come through the field."

Meanwhile at the front, Esteban Gutierrez secured the win for Lotus GP ahead of Jolyon's team-mate Marcus Ericsson with Luiz Razia third for Arden. Tomorrow's 23-lap Sprint Race takes place at 10:35 (local time) with full coverage on his official website and Sky's F1 channel.

GP2 Valencia, Race one results:

1. E Gutierrez, Lotus GP, 28 laps
2. M Ericsson, iSport, 1.6s
3. L Razia, Arden, +4.4s
4. F Leimer, Racing, 6.4s
5. R Haryanto, Carlin, +6.9s
6. N Berthon, Racing, +7.6s
7. M Chilton, Carlin, +8.3s
8. D Valsecchi, DAMS, +10.5s
9. J Calado, Lotus GP, +11.0s
DNF. J Palmer, iSport