The Canadian had joined Renault in a test driver role last year, completing his first run in an F1 car at Silverstone in May - but an expected FP1 appearance did not subsequently materalise.

His status within the Renault F1 set-up was unconfirmed heading into 2017, but he will now reprise his role with the French marque as it has given Latifi the opportunity to run in the Renault RS17 at Barcelona.

Latifi's test outing will be as part of Pirelli's tyre development work for 2018, with the team's race driver Jolyon Palmer having already run on Tuesday.

“This is an exciting next step for Nicholas,” said Renault's Cyril Abiteboul. “He will drive our current generation Formula 1 car at the same venue where the Spanish Grand Prix took place three days before.

“This will offer invaluable experience to him and is a crucial element to preparing Nicholas for other opportunities in the future.”

Latifi, whose career has spanned stints in Italian F3, European F3 and the Formula Renault 3.5 series, currently drives in the newly-rebranded FIA Formula 2 championship, partnering Renault F1 development driver Oliver Rowland at DAMS.

The Canadian had been on the verge of a maiden win in F2 in last weekend's Barcelona sprint race but dropped down from first to third after a late-race error.