Jolyon Palmer made an impressive start to his GP2 weekend in Monaco by going fifth quickest during today's (Thursday) opening practice session.

Drivers were greeted with glorious sunshine as the 30-minute session got underway with all 26 cars taking to the iconic street circuit. Palmer made a great start to be running P4 after his first flying lap before the session was interrupted when Lotus GP driver Esteban Gutierrez went into the barrier at Turn 1.

The 21-year-old continued to show strong pace as the session continued, running eighth at the halfway stage before pitting as Giancarlo Serenelli spun at Rascasse bringing out the yellow flags.

With 10 minutes remaining, Palmer returned to the track on the super soft tyres - the first driver to do so - and immediately went P3. He was on course to go even quicker on his next lap, going fastest of all in the first sector, but was hampered by traffic as well as a spin by Giedo Van Der Garde at Rascasse. Johnny Cecotto and Davide Valsecchi then put in two quick laps in the final few moments to go first and second respectively, leaving Palmer in P5.

Speaking afterwards Jolyon said: "We had a good practice finishing P5, less than a tenth off P2. We tried both different compounds of tyres and a practice start at the end as well so it was very productive. There is plenty more time in the car so for qualifying I will give it my best shot and aim for a place on the front row."

Jolyon is next on track at 16:55 (local time) for today's qualifying session with full coverage and live timing available on his official website.

GP2 Monaco, practice results:

1. J Cecotto, Addax, 1:22.075s
2. D Valsecchi, DAMS, +0.670s
3. F Leimer, Racing, +0.675s
4. G VD Garde, Caterham, +0.682s
5. J Palmer, iSport, +0.767s
6. L Razia, Arden, +1.029s
7. S Coletti, Scuderia, +1.268s
8. M Chilton, Carlin, +1.354s
9. N Berthon, Racing, +1.370s
10. J Kral, Addax, +1.388s