GP2 racer Jolyon ends season on the podium in Abu Dhabi

Southwater’s Jolyon Palmer narrowly missed out on his third GP2 win of the year on Saturday November 2 as the 2013 GP2 season drew to a close at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Nov 2013, 11:53 BST
Jolyon on the podiumJolyon on the podium
Jolyon on the podium

Another strong qualifying performance saw Jolyon line up third on the grid for the main Feature Race, and he made a blistering start to lead into the first corner.

Fending off an early challenge from pole sitter Alexander Rossi, he proceeded to lead the majority of the race, establishing a lead of over three seconds before he pitted with ten laps remaining of the 30 lap contest.

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Rossi had pitted slightly earlier, and when Jolyon emerged from the pits, his rival had overtaken him for the lead.

Jolyon set about closing down the gap, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process, but Rossi held firm to take the win, with Jolyon having to settle for second place, his third visit to the podium this year.

Starting seventh for the final round of the season on Sunday, Jolyon endured a difficult race, forced to take evasive action after a first corner collision between Felipe Nasr and Johnny Cecotto which dropped him into the mid pack.

Jolyon fought his way back into the top ten, including a great move around the outside of Rio Haryanto at the turn four chicane.

Eyeing further progress, he moved past Julian Leal for ninth place on lap 14, but the pair made contact, which ultimately contributed to Jolyon’s retirement from the race on lap 17.