Schumacher surprised to be so fast

The seven-time champion returned to proper Formula One action since he retired from the sport at the end of the season, and immediately showed his speed, finishing the day ahead of the other 19 drivers.

"It took me a bit of time, maybe two laps, and then I was back into the groove," Schumacher, who did not speak to the media on Tuesday, told reporters in Barcelona on Wednesday.

"And I have to say I surprised myself that I was so quickly on it again," he added.

Schumacher, who had only completed a handful of laps with Ferrari's F2007 before the test, admitted he was nervous before getting back behind the wheel of a Formula One car.

"(I was) a bit nervous. It was probably a bit like a little kid, I felt like I did when I was 18 again... Being out on the track is still a very good feeling," Schumacher, still testing today, said.

Schumacher, who tested without driver aids, said driving without traction control was more enjoyable before the system was allowed back in 2001.

"It feels worse than when we last ran without traction control, it's not similar; it's worse," the German added. "Because you have different engines compared to that time.

"Then you had 10-cylinder engines. Then you could change and play with the gears and now you cannot."