After a seemingly endless break, the cars took to the track on Tuesday for the first time since November for the first of four official Formula One testing sessions.

Nine of the teams took their 2012 challengers to the Jerez circuit in Spain. The McLaren MP4-27, Ferrari F2012, Lotus E20, Force India VJM05, Sauber C31, Toro Rosso STR7, Williams FW34 and Caterham CT01 will be at the track for four days.

Mercedes and HRT—who have not yet launched their cars for the coming season—used their 2011 cars, fitted with this year's Pirelli tyres.  Marussia (formerly Virgin) were absent.

One cannot take too much from the times set during testing, least of all on the first day.  However, Kimi Raikkonen will be pleased to have set the fastest time on his return to the cockpit.

Day One Testing Times, Jerez, Spain
01 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:19.670 75 Laps
02 Paul di Resta Force India 1:19.772 101 Laps
*03 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:20.219 56 Laps
04 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:20.496 54 Laps
05 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:20.694 57 Laps
*06 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:20.794 42 Laps
07 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1:21.353 106 Laps
08 Jenson Button McLaren 1:21.350 62 Laps
09 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:22.815 69 Laps
10 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham 1:23.178 28 Laps
11 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:23.371 25 Laps
*12 Pedro de la Rosa HRT 1:23.676 44 Laps

* indicates the 2011 car.

Raikkonen's lap was faster than any set during the 2011 season testing at the same track.  However, it's very unlikely we've seen the true pace of any of the cars.

Mercedes will launch their new car on February 21st at the second test at Catalunya, Spain.  Marussia will unveil theirs on March 1st at the same track for the third and final preseason test, while HRT have yet to confirm a launch date.

Testing will resume on Wednesday morning.