Jolyon Palmer posted the 12th fastest time in GP2 free practice this morning (Friday) at Spa Francorchamps.

Jolyon ran at the top of the time sheets early on, improving his lap time on his first three runs, before being shuffled down the order.

Pitting with 30 minutes remaining of the 45 minute session, he returned to the track with 18 minutes remaining, but any chances of an improvement were lost when Stefano Coletti spun at Fagnes chicane, bringing out a red flag.

The session resumed with four minutes remaining, but not enough time to allow any further improvements.

Jolyon commented: "It was a difficult session as we got the strategy a little bit wrong I think and killed the tyres quite early by doing two push laps in a row. In spite of this the pace wasn't bad but the field is very close. I'm confident going into qualifying that we can challenge for pole again."

GP2 Free Practice result, Spa Francorchamps

1. J Leal, Carlin, 1m57.877s
2. J Cecotto, Trident, +0.153s
3. R Marciello, Racing Engineering, +0.388s
4. N Berthon, Venezuela GP, +0.414s
5. C Daly, Venezuela GP, +0.425s
6. S Vandoorne, ART GP, +0.462s
7. S Canamasas, Trident, +0.493s
8. S Coletti, Racing Engineering, +0.497s
9. S Richelmi, DAMS, +0.522s
12. J Palmer, DAMS, +0.585s