Well, the 2012 F1 season is almost upon us. And the initial peak into the new cars is revealing. Not just for the ugliness of the new, stepped nose designs, but the first results — Kimi Räikkönen fastest on day 1, Michael Schumacher fastest on day 2.

There’s an old saying in Formula One that cars that are quick “out of the box” usually prove superior in the season itself.  We’ll see. Because, after all, that’s why they run the races!

Kimi Raikkonen In the Lotus E20 at Jerez

Michael Schumacher Fastest in Second Pre-Season Test at Jerez  | Auto Racing Daily.

At the wheel of Mercedes’ 2011 machine, Schumacher clocked a best time of 1m 18.561s from 132 laps, putting him half a second clear of Mark Webber in the new Red Bull RB8. Here are the testing results from:

Unofficial Wednesday test times from Jerez:
1. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes*, 1:18.561, 132 Laps
2. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:19.184, 97 Laps
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso, 1:19.587, 100 Laps
4. Jules Bianchi, Force India, 1:20.221, 46 Laps
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus, 1:20.239, 117 Laps
6. Paul di Resta, Force India, 1:20.272, 69 Laps
7. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:20.454, 95 Laps
8. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:20.688, 85 Laps
9. Sergio Perez, Sauber, 1:20.711, 106 Laps
10. Pastor Maldonado, Williams, 1:21.197, 97 Laps
11. Heikki Kovalainen, Caterham, 1:21.518, 139 Laps
12. Pedro de la Rosa, HRT*, 1:22.128, 64 Laps