Michael Schumacher's three day GP2 test is underway at Jerez.

The German, who is returning to F1 this season after a three year retirement, has been given special permission to test the 2011 GP2 car as part of his preparation programme.

Schumacher was due to return to F1 in 2009 following Felipe Massa's accident during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, however, the German subsequently cried off claiming to be suffering from a neck injury incurred in a motor cycle racing accident earlier in the year.

That said, Pitpass subsequently reported that according to its sources, the German tested the Ferrari F60 at Mugello ahead of his proposed return and subsequently told the team that he was not willing to risk his reputation in a car he described as a "piece of s**t".

His subsequent decision to return to F1 with Mercedes, not to mention the problems encountered by Luca Badoer and subsequently Giancarlo Fisichella, would appear to give credence to this story.

One of the main goals of the three-day test at Jerez, as far as GP2 organizers are concerned, is to "evaluate numerous suspension configurations in order to define several new set-up solutions which will provide more flexibility to GP2 drivers and engineers during the race weekends".

As far as Schumacher and Mercedes is concerned it's to give the German three extra days testing in preparation for his much anticipated return to F1.

Pictures by GP2 Series