Jan.12 (GMM) Norbert Haug has admitted that this week's three day test with a GP2 test is a "warm-up" for Michael Schumacher's return to formula one.

After reports in the German press said the Jerez session is simply a circumnavigation of the current F1 testing ban, both the GP2 series and Mercedes GP issued a media statement.

They said the Spanish event is in fact a "development test" to gain data for the 2011/13 GP2 car, with "numerous suspension configurations" and the testing of "updated components including a new clutch" on the agenda.

But Mercedes' competition chief Norbert Haug described the test as a "warm-up" for the 41-year-old German, comparing it with Schumacher's test in a two-year-old Ferrari prior to his aborted mid-season comeback last season.

The GP2/Mercedes statement did acknowledge that Jerez, to have its doors closed to the public for the test, will allow Schumacher "some motor sport mileage" in "preparation for his much-awaited return to formula one" this year.

The statement also said the test had the approval of the FIA and the F1 testing committee.

Reportedly on hand will be a sports doctor of the Bad-Nauheim clinic, despite the seven time world champion insisting there is no longer any trace of the injuries that prevented his Ferrari return in 2009.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version