> Kimi returns as Jerez test kicks off

Kimi Raikkonen returned to the track for the first time as world champion on Tuesday morning as the final major group test before Christmas got underway at Jerez.

The Finnish ace has spent most of the last six weeks on holiday since clinching his maiden world title at the 2007 season finale in Brazil, but returned to testing action in Spain at the wheel of a traction control-less F2007.

Raikkonen was not the only familiar Ferrari face to be making a return to the pit lane, as its former technical director Ross Brawn made his first public appearance as Honda's new team boss.

Elsewhere, Timo Glock got behind the wheel of a Toyota for the first time since his switch to the Cologne-based squad, while Williams began its evaluation of F3 Euroseries ace Nico Hulkenberg as it looks for a new test driver.

The newly renamed Force India team is also continuing its search for a team-mate to Adrian Sutil, with Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella behind the wheel of the F8-VII.

Force India will test Ralf Schumacher later in the week in what is set to be a busy four days up and down the field.

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher is due to make his second testing appearance of the winter for Ferrari, with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton also set to drive on Wednesday for the first time since Brazil.

Bridgestone is also bringing slick tyres for teams to try out during the week ahead of a possible re-introduction for the rubber in Formula 1 in 2009.

Source: itv-f1