Jolyon Palmer set the 10th quickest time in practice at the Red Bull Ring this morning (Friday), as scattered rain showers in Austria affected the first ever GP2 session on the circuit.

The dominant championship leader set a string of fastest laps early in the session on his first visit to the circuit, improving from a 1m21.090s to a 1m19.106s before pitting with 32 minutes remaining of the 45 minute session, with light drizzle affecting the early running.

Jolyon returned to the track with 23 minutes remaining and went fastest again on a 1m16.502s, which was to prove his best lap of the morning.

With the rain intensifying at the end of the session, drivers were unable to improve their lap times, with Jolyon's quickest time 0.850s off the fastest overall of Julian Leal.

GP2 Qualifying takes place at 14.55 UK time.

Speaking after the session, Jolyon commented: "It was a difficult session with constant drizzle and mixed conditions throughout. On top of this I was learning a new track as well. I think we learnt a lot during the session but going into qualifying will be a gamble with a lot of track evolution and soft tyres. Anything could happen!"

GP2, Red Bull Ring, practice result

1. J Leal, Carlin, 1m15.652s
2. R Marciello, Racing Engineering, +0.116s 
3. S Coletti, Racing Engineering, +0.178s 
4. F Nasr, Carlin, +0.292s
5. J Cecotto, Trident, +0.538s
6. M Evans, Russian Time, +0.540s
7. D Abt, Hilmer, +0.648s
8. R Binder, Arden, +0.774s
9. S Vandoorne, ART GP, +0.811s
10. J Palmer, DAMS, +0.850s