Dozens of fans, photographers and journalists watched seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher take his Mercedes car out for the first time in Valencia on Monday, ahead of his official return to the sport after a three-year absence.

The German clocked the third fastest lap time of 1min 12.947 sec behind Brazilian Ferrari driver Felipe Massa (1:12.574) and Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa of Sauber (1:12.784). Massa insisted on Monday he felt no fear as he returned to the track for the first time after being seriously injured in an accident at last year's Hungarian Grand Prix. Massa suffered severe head injuries when he was struck by a spring that flew from another car during last July's race.

A boy with a new toy

"In a way, it's like 1991, honestly," an elated Schumacher said afterwards. "When I came into F1, I was shocked in the first lap and I was extremely excited in the second. It's exactly the same today. Today I feel like a young boy that has a toy in his hand and just enjoys himself."

Schumacher also admitted it was a strange feeling to be lining up against his old Ferrari team. "Yes, naturally I suddenly see my car, my old car, on the track and I'm not sitting in it. It's a strange sensation," he said.

Mercedes took over the Brawn GP team, with whom Britain's Jenson Button won the 2009 world drivers' title, following the end of last season.

Schumacher has now teamed up with former team owner Ross Brawn, the 55-year-old Briton who was in Schumacher's pits for all seven of his world title wins - two at Benetton and five at Ferrari. Brawn is now responsible for making Mercedes' Silver Arrow car ready for the new season.

Undiminished ambition

Having retired in 2006, the 41-year-old Schumacher broke a three-year hiatus to sign a three-year contract to race for Mercedes in December. He has made no secret of his desire to win an eighth world drivers' championship title for the German auto giant.

"I feel very good. I have worked out very well. I have prepared myself extremely precisely," said Schumacher, whose attempted return to Formula One last year was hampered by a neck injury.

The first race of the season is the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 14.

bk/SID/AFP
Editor: Rob Turner