Schumacher on the pace as GP2 test concludes

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.

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