Kimi Raikkonen was pleased with how his first day of testing went as he prepares to make his Formula 1 return after a two-year break from the sport.
Raikkonen will drive for Lotus (the new name for Renault) in 2012 and he looked comfortable as he got back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, completing 300 kilometres in Renault's 2012 R30 during a private test at Valencia.
"It was a good first day! Having not driven a Formula One car for two years and obviously with a new team, there is a lot to get used to," he said.
"I'm happy because I was pretty quick to get back in the groove. Obviously you get more into the zone with the more laps you complete, as you discover more about the car and the tyres.
“Knowing when to turn, brake, and when to get on the power didn't take long at all. The good thing is that running today gives me something to compare the new car to, so I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully we'll be fast straight away and it's going to be an interesting season."
Lotus team principal Eric Boullier knows that the 2010 car differs greatly from the car Raikkonen will have at his disposal this season but he believes the test will be hugely beneficial to the 2007 world champion.
"I must say today was very positive. You can see that the whole team is pleased with Kimi's feedback, and Kimi himself seemed very happy to be back behind the wheel," Boullier observed.
"He got the feel of the car very quickly and it's good to see him building a strong relationship with the team. Obviously, the R30 is different to the new car, but he is clearly excited to get started at the first test in Jerez. Our team is made up of true racing people, and Kimi fits into that very well."