Monza GP2: Arthur Pic sets practice pace for Campos Racing

Pic, the younger brother of former Formula 1 racer Charles who drove for Lotus , set the fastest time of 1m32.256s with a minute of the session remaining.

That was 0.178 seconds quicker than erstwhile pacesetter Stoffel Vandoorne of ART Grand Prix, whose best effort was 1m32.434s. Vandoorne was on a faster lap when he got held up by Daniel Abt at the Parabolica.

Series dominator Jolyon Palmer, who was fastest early on, slipped to third in his DAMS entry on 1m32.535s. Russian Time's Mitch Evans was fourth, just a hundredth slower than Palmer on 1m32.545s.

Stefano Coletti was the first man to test the Parabolica's when he spun his Racing Engineering machine into it with 20 minutes remaining. He ended the session fifth fastest, 0.342s off the pace.

Simon Trummer was sixth, ahead of title contender Felipe Nasr, who was 0.42s off the pace. Raffaele Marciello, whose car stopped at the end of the session, was eighth, ahead of Stephane Richelmi and Jon Lancaster.

The session had an early spinner when Abt rotated at Rettifilo early on. At the same corner, Sergio Canamasas came within inches of taking out Trident team-mate Johnny Cecotto Jr. Canamasas later went off at the Ascari chicane.

Pierre Gasly made his GP2 debut with Caterham, ending the session 22nd fastest. His team-mate Rio Haryanto was forced to pull off after the Roggia chicane with three minutes remaining.

Sergio Campana made , and was 25th fastest.