Jolyon Palmer endured a frustrating GP2 qualifying session at Hockenheim where severe rain midway through hampered his running to leave him starting P21 for tomorrow's Feature Race.

After limited running in practice, the 21-year-old Brit spent the opening laps familiarising himself with the German circuit and making the best of the difficult conditions. However, with 10 minutes gone, the heavens opened with Jolyon soon taking the sensible option and heading for the pits.

He returned with 10 minutes left on the clock, taking the opportunity to gain valuable mileage around the unfamiliar circuit. But with no let up in the rain, only one driver was able to improve on their time leaving Jolyon to finish a frustrated P21.

Speaking afterwards Jolyon said: "It was a shocking session. I just had no grip from the tyres and could never get up to pace. In the end I qualified 21st which is a disaster and makes it very difficult to get a result from the weekend. Anything can happen though and I will push hard in the race to come through the pack."

Meanwhile, Caterham driver Giedo Van Der Garde secured pole, just edging out James Calado by 0.012s with Fabio Leimer in third.

Jolyon returns to the track tomorrow at 15:40 (local time) for the opening Feature Race with full coverage and live timing available on his official website.

GP2 Hockenheim, qualifying results:

1. G VD Garde, Caterham, 1:44.022s
2. J Calado, Lotus GP, +0.012s
3. F Leimer, Racing, +0.922s
4. N Melker, Ocean, +1.041s
5. F Onidi, Scuderia, +1.107s
6. D Valsecchi, DAMS, +1.130s
7. F Nasr, DAMS, +1.398s
8. V Guerin, Ocean, +1.494s
9. E Gutierrez, Lotus GP, +1.591s
21. J Palmer, iSport, +2.629s