After putting in a strong performance in qualifying expectations were high for Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde who began in P2 on the grid for the GP2 feature race in Monza. However, hopes were quickly dashed at the first corner of the race when his car suffered technical difficulties, forcing van der Garde to pull over and retire at only turn one of the first lap, leaving him bitterly disappointed.

A good start saw teammate Rodolfo Gonzalez gain several places in the opening laps before pitting on lap seven and losing a little momentum. Gonzalez managed to gain three positions from his starting place of P25, finishing the race P22.

Rodolfo Gonzalez P22 "After a good start I lost several positions when I had to brake hard on the long straight. Then, as I came in to pit, the track was very congested and I was caught up in it a bit and unfortunately lost a little ground. After the pitstop I got going again, my pace was good over the last few laps but it was all too little too late. On a positive note, we showed our potential in spells over the latter stages of the race so there's hope we can have a better day on Sunday."

Giedo van der Garde - DNF "A technical issue arose with my steering very early on and that was it for me. It is a real shame. Yesterday everything felt so good and I truly believed we would win the race, but luck was not on our side and it wasn't meant to be. But, we have to accept it, move on, and refocus for Sunday's race. I will be starting at the back of the grid and will have my work cut out, but I believe we have the car to do it. Our aim has to be to finish in the points."

Caterham Racing Team Manager Phill Spencer "We are all disappointed as we have missed a great opportunity to make valuable ground in the championship. To retire so soon having laid such great foundations in qualifying is hard to stomach. Giedo experienced an alarm go off on his steering wheel at the first corner and by turn two he was out of the race. As for Rodolfo, he made his usual good start at the back of the grid only to get slowed up at the first chicane by several cars. He raced hard from there on in but after a lengthy pit stop finished in P22, concluding a disappointing day for Caterham Racing. "
 
Caterham Racing Chief Engineer Humphrey Corbett "I am obviously very disappointed. After qualifying I felt we had a very strong car and expected be in the points with Giedo starting in P2. Unfortunately, we leave the track on Saturday with nothing and are left scratching our heads. We are still investigating the problem but it looks like it might have been a software glitch. Meanwhile, Rodolfo had an ok race given his starting place. A difficult pit stop hindered his progress and there was just too much ground for him to make to up. All in all we have a lot of work to do before the sprint race but of course we will come back fighting and see what we can salvage from the weekend."