Alex Lynn grabbed his second GP2 Series pole position in a dramatic qualifying session at Sochi in Russia.

The DAMS Racing team driver, who is from Dunmow near Braintree, set the best lap time in tough conditions with half of the Sochi track drying and half still wet after heavy rain earlier in the day.

The changeable conditions meant the pole spot was held by a number of drivers throughout the half-hour qualifying session, but the drying track meant the best times would be decided on everyone’s final attempt.

All eyes were on GP2 Series leader Stoffel Vandoorne, with the Belgian topping the timesheets midway through the session.

However, the final stages saw a dramatic ending as Lynn crossed the finish line with a lap time good enough to deny Vandoorne.

Lynn said: "It’s really nice actually because right on the outlap I could feel that the car was really, really good.

"Then it was all about doing my job, not make a mistake and get a clean lap.

"So the rest of the session just became about making sure I did that one lap at the right time and I think it was just at the right time; the track was at its best, and the tyres were at their best.

"Luckily it was enough to finish it off."

It means the 22-year-old from Essex will start first on the grid for tomorrow’s feature race in Russia, which starts at 2.40pm (British time).

The only other time Lynn sat on pole for a feature race – in Hungary – this year, he went on to convert it into a race win on the Saturday.