Jan.15 (GMM) Michael Schumacher was right on the pace during his test in a GP2 car at Jerez this week.

Billed as a development test for the feeder series but in fact a 'warm-up' for his return to F1 this year, the seven time world champion managed more than 100 laps on slick tyres on Thursday as the weather cleared for the final day.

A media statement revealed that 41-year-old Schumacher's best lap was a 1m24.6, which is four tenths slower than the GP2 lap record at the Spanish circuit set by Kamui Kobayashi in 2008.

"I feel fit, I felt comfortable immediately back in the car ?- hey, let's go for it!" the German was quoted as saying.

The best time of the recent F1 test held at Jerez was a 1m17, set by Daniel Ricciardo in the Red Bull, but some of the slower runners were in the low 1m20s.

Schumacher's 1m24, meanwhile, would have seen him comfortably qualify for the last grand prix held at Jerez. In a Ferrari, Schumacher qualified second for that 1997 championship decider with a 1m21.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version