Jolyon Palmer made an impressive start to the first of today's (Tuesday) GP2 pre-season test sessions in Barcelona by going seventh quickest and a mere 0.353s off the pace.

After a strong showing at the first pre-season test at Silverstone earlier this month, the 20-year-old British driver posted a best time of 1:30.228s around the 4.655km circuit.

Completing a total of 27 laps, the Arden International driver produced his best lap time on lap five, setting a personal best in all three sector times.

Speaking from an overcast Circuit de Catalunya track Jolyon said: "I'm quite happy with how things went in the morning session. We started on new tyres and hooked up a good time on my first flying lap. We went P1 for a time being and then slipped down the order as other drivers put on fresh rubber."

Testing continues this afternoon at the Spanish circuit which provides the venue for rounds three and four of the Formula 1 feeder-series.

Barcelona GP2 morning session times:

1. Charles Pic, Barwa Addax Team, 1:29.875s
2. Davide Valsecchi, Team AirAsia, 1:29.915s
3. Esteban Gutierrez, Lotus ART, 1:29.976s
4. Romain Grosjean, DAMS, 1:30.051s
5. Sam Bird, ISport International, 1:30.059s
6. Max Chilton, Carlin, 1:30.183s
7. Jolyon Palmer, Arden International, 1:30.228s
8. Davide Rigon, Scuderia Coloni, 1:30.347s
9. Luiz Razia, Team AirAsia, 1:30.364s
10. Giedo van der Garde, Barwa Addax Team, 1:30.430s