Formula 1 Testing: Times from Day One at Jerez
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.
| 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.

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