Jolyon Palmer started the first morning of the official GP2 test at Jerez with front running pace, completing the session in an excellent third place.

The three day test began in earnest as the Spanish sunshine warmed a cold track and initially only a few drivers left the pitlane to explore the circuit for installation laps.

With just an hour of the morning completed, Ocean Racing Technology's Tom Dillmann ran into the gravel, bringing out the red flags. The session was halted for just a short while and when it resumed the track quickly became busy. Jolyon's early laps were immediately on the pace of the top ten as his iSport team perfected their setup for the former Spanish and European Grand Prix venue.

Jolyon continued to improve and was running in the top five with an hour to go of the morning session as he continued to settle in with his new GP2 team. Working well with team mate Marcus Ericsson, who completed the 2011 season with iSport, the pair kept the squad at the sharp end of the field.

With less than an hour remaining Davide Valsecchi posted the fastest time of the session, with Fabio Onidi claiming second. Jolyon posted his fastest lap to take third place, ahead of Ericsson, before the chequered flag came out for the lunch break.

A delighted Jolyon remarked: "I'm very happy with the first morning of testing. We managed to get through some set up work which was productive and in the end I was third quickest, which is a good way to start the year. I'm hoping for more of the same this afternoon!"

Jerez, GP2 test session day one, morning results:

1. D Valsecchi, DAMS, 1:26.014s
2. F Onidi, Scuderia Colini, +0.203s
3. J Palmer, iSport International, +0.205s
4. M Ericsson, iSport International, +0.252s
5. E Gutierrez, Lotus GP, +0.394s
6. J Calado, Lotus GP, +0.635s
7. S Richelmi, Trident Racing, +0.874s
8. S Coletti, Scuderia Coloni, +0.877s
9. D Clos, Rapax, +0.930s
10. N Melker, Ocean Racing Technology, +0.957s