In a reverse of yesterday’s order, the drivers in Group B were first out on to the track. As the times came down, Alexander Albon (KTR) and Kevin Jorg traded fastest laps, with Nyck de Vries then joining the fight. The Swiss had the last word, however, clocking a time of 1:56.184 to secure a place on the front row.

In Group A, meanwhile, French duo Andrea Pizzitola and Aurélien Panis took control of proceedings by mid-session. The battle for pole eventually went the way of the Manor MP Motorsport man, who posted the morning’s fastest lap of 1:55.793 four minutes from the chequered flag.

Sunday’s Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 race gets under way at 12:35.

Andrea Pizzitola : “I was disqualified at Spa-Francorchamps in 2012 and came back to score a pole there too. Not getting up to the top of the grid has been very frustrating, but we’ve laid the foundations here for a good race. There’s no better way to hit back.”