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LONDON - Retired world champion Michael Schumacher said he was surprised by his speed after again setting the pace in his second day of testing with Ferrari in Spain.
The 38-year-old German made clear however that there was no chance of him returning to Formula One as a racer after walking away in 2006.
The seven times world champion recognised that he had experienced some apprehension at returning to the racetrack, saying he had felt "like I did when I was 18", but that had soon subsided.
"Obviously being out for so long raised some question marks for me," Schumacher told reporters at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya after lapping faster than the other 20 drivers present.
"It took me a bit of time, maybe two laps, and then I was back into the groove. And I have to say I surprised myself that I was so quickly on it again."
Schumacher clocked an unofficial best time of one minute 21.486 seconds, with McLaren's Spanish test driver Pedro de la Rosa second quickest in 1:21.857.
The Ferrari driver had also been quickest on Tuesday, when he returned to the Formula One cockpit for his first serious session since the Brazilian Grand Prix of October 2006.
"I don't miss F1 because I've always being involved in F1," said Schumacher, who retains a role as a technical consultant for the title-winning Italian team and attended several races this year.
"I did miss a bit to get behind the wheel and that's why I'm here today. I had great fun yesterday.
"I don't have the times that were done here during the grand prix weekend, so I have no references," added the German.
"But now you have to consider that it's winter time and always in winter you are quicker, it's the end of the season and the car is developed compared to what we had here at the beginning of the year.
"So it's normal that things improve and therefore look better than you expected."
Ferrari are using Schumacher's experience of driving cars without traction control and so-called driver aids to help develop their car for 2008, when the rules change.
"Traction control obviously makes a difference," said Schumacher. "They have to work to improve the feeling of the car without traction control."
Austrian Christian Klien tested for the Force India team, formerly Spyker, with Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi. Both drivers are trying to secure a place for next season, with Klien the faster of the two on Wednesday.
Indian Karun Chandhok continued his test with Red Bull Racing, setting the 11th best time.
- REUTERS
