Schumacher's test hampered by rain

The seven-time champion, who is making a Formula 1 comeback this year with Mercedes GP, managed to complete 52 laps on the first day of the scheduled three-day run before poor weather forced him to bring running to a premature halt.

Despite the weather, Schumacher was pleased to have got at least a little experience under his belt in the test aimed at acclimatising him back to F1 speeds - and also providing GP2 with some feedback on its car.

"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. Despite the weather not being what we all would have liked all my senses were nevertheless on full alert - this alone was worth it," he said.

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

GP2 Series Technical director Didier Perrin, who is overseeing the test as part of the development programme for 2011, added: "It is unfortunate that the weather conditions were far from optimal today.

"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."