Jolyon Palmer secured a sensational maiden GP2 win after controlling today's (Saturday) Sprint Race at the iconic Monaco street circuit - adding his name to a prestigious list of GP2 Monaco winners that includes Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez, Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado.

Having seen the start of his second season in the F1 feeder series blighted by a reccurring electrical issue, the 21-year-old finally got the results his strong pace has deserved.As the lights went out, Jolyon made a storming start from his P3 grid position to lead into Turn 1, making a brave move up the inside of the first corner to pass pole sitter Stéphane Richelmi.

Richelmi then collided with James Calado leaving Jolyon clear at the front, while further behind race one winner Johnny Cecotto Jr spun going up the hill to Casino Square, colliding with at least seven cars and forcing a three lap safety car period.

Jolyon sat patiently behind the safety car until it came, and then immediately launched into a 0.6s second lead before stretching that to 1.8s by the end of the first lap. In clear air, Jolyon began to increase his lead further over Calado, who was suffering wing damage from the opening lap incident.

By the halfway stage, his lead had stretched to almost 10s from second place Max Chilton, after Calado had pitted to repair damage. Chilton began to close the gap in the closing stages, but Jolyon remained completely unfazed and in complete control as he claimed his first, and well deserved, maiden GP2 win at the most glamorous venue on the motorsport calendar.

Speaking afterwards a delighted Jolyon said: "I got an awesome start to jump into the lead, and after the safety car I was able to build a good lead. Then I just managed the gap to Max Chilton without taking any risks. I have to say a big thank you to iSport for all their hard work after an unlucky start to the season. Hopefully now we can carry this momentum through to the next rounds at Valencia and be fighting at the front again."

The next GP2 rounds take place in Valencia, Spain on 22-24 June.

GP2 Monaco, Sprint Race results:

1. J Palmer, iSport, 30 laps
2. M Chilton, Carlin, +1.0s
3. G VD Garde, Caterham, +4.4s
4. M Ericsson, iSport, +8.1s
5. R Gonzalez, Caterham, +19.9s
6. L Razia, Arden, +23.2s
7. N Berthon, Racing, +26.3s
8. E Gutierrez, Lotus GP, +26.8s
9. S Trummer, Arden, +31.6s
10. J Kral, Addax, +3.6s