Kimi Raikkonen testing the Lotus E20 at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain. Reuters photo
Finland's 2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest time in his Lotus-Renault during pre-season testing here on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old Raikkonen - winner of 18 grands prix - is putting this year's model through its paces as he returns to Formula One after
two years away. Raikkonen won his 2007 crown with Ferrari before switching to the World Rally Championship in 2009 followed by a spell in Nascar racing.
Double world champion Sebastian Vettel of Germany arrives in Jerez on Friday to test the RB8, with his Australian teammate Mark Webber, who is testing the car earlier in the week, clocked the fourth fastest time for Red Bull-Renault on Tuesday.
Testing runs until Friday with further sessions at Barcelona from February 21-24 and March 1-4, before the GP opener in Melbourne, Australia on March 18.
Times and laps:
1. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus-Renault) 1min 19.670sec 75 laps
2. Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India-Mercedes) 1:19.772 101
3. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) 1:20.219 56
4. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull-Renault) 1:20.496 54
5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari) 1:20.694 57
6. Michael Schumacher (GER/Mercedes) 1:20.794 42
7. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:21.353 106
8. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:21.530 62
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) 1:22.815 69
10. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN/Caterham-Renault) 1:23.178 28
11. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams-Renault) 1:23.371 25
12. Pedro de la Rosa (ESP/HRT-Cosworth) 1:23.676 44