Sheikh Khalid said: “The test went well on a twisty road; the test was very important for me to get the feeling with the WRC car back especially after spending last week behind the wheel of the Peugeot 2008 DKR in Rally Morocco.

“We have done some modifications on the tarmac setup and I’m happy with the successful day.”

The mixed surface event opens tomorrow night with a street stage in the Montjuïc area of Barcelona, on roads that hosted the Spanish Grand Prix Formula One race on four occasions.

Friday’s action is predominantly gravel, but with asphalt sections in the long Terra Alta test. Four morning stages are repeated in the afternoon after tyre fitting in Ascó.

The second and third legs are entirely asphalt. Saturday mixes roads not used since 2013 with tests driven in the opposite direction to 2015. A mid-leg service splits the day, which ends with the fan favourite test along Salou seafront.

Two loops of two tests comprise the final leg, ending with the live TV Power Stage.