Monza GP2 race report

09/09/2013

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Jolyon Palmer has a special affection for the fabled Autodromo di Monza on the outskirts of Milan, Italy. It was here – on his very first visit to the circuit in 2010 - that Jolyon carried Comma's colours to a famous brace of victories in the FIA Formula 2 championship.

But affection or not, motor racing can be fickle, and it was a bitter blow when a loose wheel following his mandatory pit-stop put paid to a possible podium result for Jolyon in the GP2 Feature race at Monza on Saturday, September 7th.

Having set his best qualifying time of the season to start the race from third on the grid, Jolyon was confident of a strong performance, and relishing the contest with the front row pairing of Fabio Leimer and pole-sitter, Sam Bird. Marcus Ericcson sat alongside Jolyon on the grid, and it was the Swede who got the better of Comma's man on the opening lap, but there was little to choose between the speed of the leading quartet as they gradually opened a gap on the rest of the field. Jolyon moved up to third place when Ericsson pitted for his tyre change, while Jolyon continued for a further three laps before making for his own pit stop. Re-joining the contest – still behind Ericsson – Jolyon quickly realised that there was a problem with his left rear wheel which had not been properly attached and departed company with his car in the Lesmo sector of the circuit, eliminating him on the spot.

A devastated Jolyon was left to reflect: "I'm very disappointed with that. I was looking strong and should have at least a podium. It's a real disappointment and more bad luck but these things do happen from time to time. Now we have a challenge tomorrow to do something starting from the back".

Sunday' Sprint race – with no mandatory pit stops! – proved once again that when it comes to overtaking, Jolyon has few peers in GP2. Starting from 22nd on the grid, Jolyon charged through the field on worn tyres attributable to his damaged wheel from the Feature race being unusable. By the end of the 21 laps, he had forged his way to claim the single championship point for tenth place at the flag, scant reward for a weekend's effort that should have delivered a happier and more productive outcome.

And so, on to the final GP2 contest of the year in Singapore on September 21st/22nd. "I think we did about as much as possible and were strong all weekend, but in the end it's just one moment that's cost us. Now we need to focus on Singapore where both Carlin and myself were quick last year," said Jolyon.