Jolyon Palmer showed superb pace and overtaking prowess to finish seventh during today's (Saturday) GP2 Feature Race at Monza, coming through the field to make up eight places.

Starting from P15, the 21-year-old made a good getaway as the lights went out to gain five positions by the end of the opening lap. He was then battling hard with Davide Valsecchi into Turn 1 but ran straight on at the chicane, recovering on the same lap with a great pass on Esteban Gutierrez around the outside of Ascari to lie P9.

He then pitted on lap eight, re-emerging side-by-side with Gutierrez with the Lotus driver just able to take back the place. At the halfway stage Palmer was running P11, although with several drivers still yet to pit, and involved in a tight four-car battle.

His best overtake of the race then came shortly after with Jolyon finally getting the better of Gutierrez after going level through Turn 3 to get the inside line into the chicane and lie P7 after the pit stop shuffle. 

In the closing stages, Jolyon was right on the gearbox of Valsecchi ahead but just couldn't find a way past as the chequered flag came out - meaning he'll start tomorrow's 21-lap Sprint Race on the front-row due to the series' reverse grid system.

Speaking afterwards Jolyon said: "That was a great race! I got a good start and made a few positions and then was running 9th at the pit stops. I lost a place to Gutierrez when I rejoined after the pit stops but then after following him for several laps I managed to pass him after a fraught battle for a few corners. From then on I caught Valsecchi but couldn't pass him so I ended 7th. I'm very happy with the race as we gained eight places from where we started and have a front row starting place for tomorrow. The pace was very strong so hopefully I can be in contention for the victory."

Meanwhile at the front, Luca Filippi secured the race win with Johnny Cecotto and iSport team-mate Marcus Ericcson joining him on the podium. Full coverage of Sunday's race will be available on Jolyon's website.
 
GP2 Monza, Feature Race results:

1. L Filippi, Scuderia, 30 laps
2. J Cecotto, Addax, +4.0s
3. M Ericsson, iSport, +5.3s
4. M Chilton, Carlin, +7.6s
5. F Leimer, Racing, +9.4s
6. D Valsecchi, DAMS, +16.0s
7. J Palmer, iSport, +17.6s
8. S Coletti, Rapax, +18.5s
9. E Gutierrez, Lotus GP, +19.2s
10. J Leal, Trident, +20.0s