Jolyon Palmer ended a frustrating weekend in Valencia after being forced into an early retirement during this morning's (Sunday) GP2 Sprint Race.

The 21-year-old started from 23rd on the grid after being handed a grid penalty for his part in the incident with Fabrizio Crestani in yesterday's Feature Race.

As the lights went out he made a steady start and ended the first lap in P20, benefiting from a four car incident on the first corner which eliminated his iSport team-mate Marcus Ericsson and brought out the safety car.

The race resumed on lap three but at the restart, Johnny Cecotto ran wide exiting the final corner onto the start/finish straight and upon re-joining the track, and appeared to move over on Jolyon who was attempting to get alongside him. The pair made contact and were both forced out of the race.

At the front Arden's Luiz Razia claimed the win just ahead of Lotus GP's James Calado and Racing Engineering's Fabio Leimer.

Speaking afterwards Jolyon said: "I had a poor start and then was taken out of the race after the first lap as Cecotto turned into me on the straight after the restart. It's been a disastrous weekend in terms of racing, all stemming from the Leimer incident at the start of race one. When you fight with people further down the order they can do more erratic things and I was caught out by Cecotto being so aggressive.

"I am now going to put the dramas of this weekend behind me and focus on Silverstone. I enjoy the track there and know it well. The team have had good success there and being my home race I will have a lot of support so I am hoping to be challenging for the win."

Jolyon will now focus on the next GP2 rounds which take place at his home circuit of Silverstone, UK on 6-8 July. For more information visit his official website at www.jolyonpalmer.com

GP2 Valencia, Race two results:

1. L Razia, Arden, 23 laps
2. J Calado, Lotus GP, +1.1s
3. F Leimer, Racing, +1.5s
4. M Chilton, Carlin, +2.4s
5. N Berthon, Racing, +2.9s
6. G VD Garde, Caterham, +4.9s
7. S Trummer, Arden, +8.4s
8. J Leal, Trident, +21.0s
9. D De Jong, Rapax, +13.5s
DNF. J Palmer, iSport