Raikkonen sets the pace on day one in Jerez (Pictures)

Jack Sargeant On February - 7 - 2012

Kimi Raikkonen, Renault R31 run, Valencia, 2012 - Photo © Lotus/LAT

Kimi Raikkonen’s return to F1 was a successful one, setting the fastest time in the new Lotus E20 at Jerez today. He set the time early on the session, and it wasn’t to be beaten.

Paul di Resta was second in the new Force India, ahead of Nico Rosberg who was third in the 2011-spec Mercedes. The German gave the car to his compatriot Michael Schumacher in the afternoon, with the seven-time champion finishing up sixth place after focusing on Pirelli’s new 2012 compounds.

Mark Webber was fourth as we got to see the Red Bull RB8 for the first time, ahead of Daniel Ricciardo in the new Toro Rosso STR7. The latter’s running was cut short due to an oil pressure issue.

Kamui Kobayashi was seventh in the new Sauber, with Jenson Button and Felipe Massa in eighth and ninth respectively. Heikki Kovalainen and Pastor Maldonado were tenth and eleventh in their new cars, with Pedro de la Rosa bringing up the rear in last season’s F111.

Timesheet

1. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus, 1:19.670, 73 Laps
2. Paul di Resta, Force India, 1:19.772, 101 Laps
3. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:20.219, 56 Laps
4. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:20.496, 53 Laps
5. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso, 1:20.694, 57 Laps
6. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes, 1:20.794, 41 Laps
7. Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber, 1:21.353, 106 Laps
8. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:21.530, 60 Laps
9. 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

Gallery

Photos © Red Bull/Getty Images, Force India/Sutton, Sauber F1 Team, Caterham/LAT, Lotus/LAT, Williams/LAT

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