Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher returned to the cockpit today in a GP2 car which will be introduced in time for the 2011 season.

In difficult conditions due to heavy rain and wind, the Mercedes GP driver completed 52 laps. Although the morning session started in dry conditions and under grey skies, the rain soon came and upset the programme of the day. The weather conditions worsened in the afternoon and the session had to stop earlier than scheduled.

"The day today was good especially because after a long time I could drive again in a car that came almost close to a current Formula 1," said the German. "Despite the weather not being what we all would have liked all my senses were nevertheless on full alert - this alone was worth it.

"I felt comfortable out on the track from the very beginning," he added, "and naturally I'd like to thank our team and the GP2 series for the opportunity."

"It is unfortunate that the weather conditions were far from optimal today," added GP2 Series Technical director Didier Perrin. "Still, Michael could get a good first taste of our car and has already managed to analyse the performance and behaviour of current car. Tomorrow, we hope for better weather and a dryer track which should allow us to move along with our programme and start working together on set up solutions for 2011."