The Russian driver completed around 20 laps on Monday, getting his first taste of stock car machinery behind the wheel of the Chevrolet V8-powered Euro NASCAR car.

He joined a number of other names present at Franciacorta, including Ducati World Superbike rider Marco Melandri (pictured below) and WTCC driver Kris Richard.

Franciacorta played host to the second Euro NASCAR 'Recruitment Day' test of the winter, following a similar event at the Fontenay Le Comte track in France at the end of last month.

Kvyat said: "With [ex-Arrows F1 driver and Euro NASCAR team boss] Alex Caffi we know each other from Monaco and he asked me if I wanted to have some fun and try something new out.

"I had good confidence with the car immediately and it’s good fun to drive it. I really enjoyed myself."

Despite the Euro NASCAR test, Kvyat's focus remains on trying to revive his F1 career after being dropped by Red Bull earlier this year, and he is a contender for a 2018 Williams seat.

The Grove-based squad tested Robert Kubica and Sergey Sirotkin last week in Abu Dhabi, while team reserve Paul di Resta also remains in the running.