Jolyon Palmer ended a mixed opening GP2 weekend in Malaysia by finishing 12th during today's (Sunday) Sprint Race after making up five places.

Temperatures were pushing 30˚C at the 5.543km Sepang circuit as the 22-lap race got underway, with Jolyon making a good start from P17 and gaining two places in the opening few laps.

The 21-year-old then gained a further position to be running P14 at the halfway stage and chasing down Nigel Melker's Ocean car ahead but ran wide at Turn 4, losing out to Josef Kral and Tom Dillmann.

As the race progressed he continued to push, matching the leader's pace and was rewarded by getting ahead of Melker, followed by a further place to secure 12th at the chequered flag.

Speaking afterwards Jolyon said: "That was a difficult race. We had very good pace early on and I made a number of positions. Then I was stuck behind Nigel Melker and couldn't pass him despite a few attempts. I couldn't keep close enough in the traction zones. Then I had another attempt and locked the rears and unfortunately Josef Kral and Tom Dillmann passed me as I ran wide. From there I passed Melker finally and finished a frustrated P12. It's been a difficult weekend in terms of results but we've had great pace throughout and probably if I had not have stalled at the start of race one, it could have ended very differently. Hopefully we can improve for Bahrain."

Meanwhile, James Calado secured the win from the reversed pole with Lotus GP team-mate Esteban Gutierrez second and Felipe Nasr in third.

The next rounds of the 2012 GP2 Series take place in Bahrain on 20-22 April with full coverage on Jolyon's official website.

GP2 Malaysia, Sprint Race results:

1. J Calado, Lotus GP, 22 laps
2. E Gutierrez, Lotus GP, +2.0s
3. F Nasr, DAMS, +3.4s
4. G VD Garde, Caterham, +10.7s
5. L Razia, Arden, +11.4s
6. F Leimer, Racing, +14.6s
7. M Chilton, Carlin, +15.6s
8. N Berthon, Racing, +16.5s
9. J Kral, Addax, +18.1s
12. J Palmer, iSport, +25.5s