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.

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.