Having spent the better part of yesterday afternoon at the wheel of the new Mercedes W01, seven-time champion, Michael Schumacher, proved that his brief retirement did not slow him down. Finishing with the days third fastest time, a full half-second faster than teammate, Nico Rosberg, the German driver told the press, “In a way it is like 1991, honestly. When I came into F1 I was shocked on the first lap and extremely excited on the second lap and further laps. And it is exactly the same today. I feel like a young boy that has a toy in his hands and enjoys himself."... [read more]Schumacher, who joins Mercedes after 13 years with Ferrari, went on to say that seeing a Ferrari on track, without him at the wheel, was a bit weird. "Naturally I suddenly see my old car on the track and not siting in it, it is a strange sensation," Schumacher then added. "But it was good to see my brother (Massa) on the track, in the car and I enjoyed to see my friends down at Ferrari this week."
After lapping the Spanish circuit some 40 times, Schumacher seemed rather pleased with his performance. "I think we have done a very good job. The guys did a superb job out there, being out there making a few control checks and making the car reliable. We did more than 80 laps, and for the first day that is a superb job."
Formula One testing continues today, although Schumacher is not schedule to drive again until Wednesday.
Stay tuned for continued coverage from Valencia!
Photo: Robert Carrier
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey
Can't wait for the start of the 2010 season!
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