UPDATED 1700 GMT
Michael Schumacher clambered back into Ferrari’s F1 hot seat today when he tested the new car at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. It was Schuey’s first outing in this season’s all-new F2008 racer. Last time the 39-year-old veteran went testing – back in December when he drove the 2007 Ferrari minus its driver aids - he set some of the fastest laps of the day. But it was Britain’s Lewis Hamilton who prevailed during today's Spanish test session. He maintained a speed advantage over both the Ferraris in his McLaren-Mercedes, posting a best time of 1:22.276 and completing 78 laps during the session. Maranello’s main man, Kimi Raikonnen, posted second fastest time of the day with 1:22.319.Schumacher was third fastest - not bad for his first outing in the new car -with a 1:22.428 best lap, one-tenth away from reigning champ Raikonnen’s pace. Seven-time world champion Schuey managed 83 laps during the session. Tomorrow (Tuesday) Schumacher will be handing the F2008 back to its regular driver Felipe Massa after his one-off test. “We wanted to give Felipe a rest today,” admitted a Ferrari spokesperson. Also making a late entry to F1 pre-season testing was Team Force India F1 - the re-branded Spyker outfit that’s now funded by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya. Its new VJM01 racer debuted with Adrian Sutil at the wheel who managed an encouraging eleventh fastest time of the day at 1:23.188. All the timings are unofficial, full standings at Autosport.com
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