Boccolacci's best lap of 1m32.896s was set just over an hour into the day’s morning session, which took place in bright and mild conditions – in contrast to the cold and wet weather that opened the test yesterday.

The fine weather meant the teams used the morning running to simulate qualifying conditions and several drivers – including Boccolacci, Arjun Maini, Niko Kari – enjoyed times at the top of the timesheets during a frenetic opening hour.

Boccolacci, who has not yet to signed with a GP3 team for the 2017 season, eventually seized the top spot for good from Nirei Fukuzumi, who had set the fastest lap on the first day of the test, by 0.012s.

Fukuzumi’s ART Grand Prix teammates Jack Aitken and Mercedes Formula 1 junior driver George Russell were third and fourth, and no driver improved their times in the afternoon as they concentrated on long run practice after the lunch break.

Red Bull junior Niko Kari finished fifth for Arden, ahead of Campos Racing’s Raoul Hyman and Boccolacci’s Trident teammate Kevin Jorg.

Marcos Siebert – the 2016 Italian Formula 4 champion who is testing for Campos, but is also yet to be confirmed as taking part in the 2017 season – was eighth fastest, with Santino Ferrucci and Maini completing the top 10 for DAMS and Jenzer Motorsport respectively.

After only one red flag in the morning – so Steijn Schothorst’s Arden car could be recovered after he stopped at Turn 5 just after the halfway point of the three-hour session – the afternoon was twice briefly brought to a halt.

Ryan Tveter stopped at Turn 2 one hour after lunch and 30 minutes later Tatiana Calderon and Hyman ground to a halt at Turn 9 and Turn 6.

The third GP3 pre-season test will take place at Valencia on 25-26 April, with the season getting underway on 13-14 May on the support bill for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Autosport / Alex Kalinauckas

Day 2 results