Jolyon Palmer will be in a position to challenge for a maiden GP2 points finish after securing a career-best 11th grid slot in a desperately wet qualifying session at Silverstone.

Jolyon adapted well to wet conditions at the Northamptonshire circuit and was immediately on the pace from the start of the session. He continued his strong performance throughout the half hour and finished the session with the 12th fastest time. However, a grid penalty for third-placed Romain Grosjean, accrued from the previous round in Valencia, boosted Jolyon's position by an additional place.

After showing his class in the earlier wet practice session, the 20-year-old's first flying lap was good enough for provisional third spot on the grid. With the threat of rain never far away, the more experienced competitors in the field were also out posting their fastest times early on. The heavens then opened and whilst Jolyon returned to the track in the late stages, conditions were too wet for him to improve his earlier time. Jules Bianchi secured pole position from Alvaro Parente and Grosjean.

Following his ninth place finish at Valencia, Palmer has a great chance to build on the performance and challenge for his first GP2 Series points finish tomorrow.

Jolyon said: "That was a good qualifying session. It was wet and my pace was extremely strong. Unfortunately I got blocked really badly on my best lap, which cost me at least a top four starting place to start tomorrow. Hopefully I can end up in the points."

Jolyon will compete in the first of two GP2 races tomorrow (Saturday) at 2.40pm.

Silverstone, qualifying provisional results:

1. J Bianchi, Lotus ART, 1.58.531s
2. A Parente, Carlin, +0.440s
3. R Grosjean, DAMS, +0.489s
4. C Vietoris, Racing, +0.612s
5. D Clos, Racing, +1.350s
6. M Chilton, Carlin, +1.421s
7. M Ericsson, iSport, +1.513s
8. E Gutierrez, Lotus ART, +1.578s
9. S Bird, iSport, +1.644s
12. J Palmer, Arden, +1.769s